Merz fails to be elected Germany’s chancellor in first parliament vote

Friedrich Merz, Germany's conservative leader, narrowly missed winning the first round of parliament, falling short by six votes despite being expected to secure an absolute majority. His unexpected loss underscores the challenges in forming a stable government without his support, as the CDU and SPD alliance now faces internal dissent and external pressures from groups like the U.S. supporting far-right forces, potentially threatening Germany's political stability.