Merz becomes German chancellor after second vote

Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor today after a second parliamentary vote, following an unexpected defeat in the initial round. Merz's CDU/CSU alliance, having won February's election, formed a coalition with the Social Democrats. The first-round failure was unprecedented in post-war Germany, despite their plans to boost economic growth. The new government, promising support for Ukraine and higher military spending, sees Merz, a former European lawmaker, entering government for the first time.