The News
Friedrich Merz fell short in a parliamentary vote to become Germany’s chancellor, throwing his governing plan and coalition into chaos.
The conservative leader had seemed to be a shoo-in, after spending months negotiating with coalition partners and outlining a mammoth fiscal expansion.
Germany’s stock market extended its losses on the news, which marks the latest in a series of political headaches for Merz.
He had pledged swift action on the faltering economy and illegal migration, but has already had to drop campaign pledges to maintain his coalition’s razor-thin majority.
Meanwhile, Washington, long Berlin’s most important ally, has been making Merz’s life difficult, Politico reported, with administration figures backing rivals and undermining his efforts to isolate Russia.
A second vote on Merz’s bid will be held at 3:15 pm local time today, the center-left SPD said.