The setback was likely temporary, but it was historic. No modern German chancellor has ever failed to secure the job on a first ballot in Parliament.

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to garner the parliamentary majority needed to become chancellor on Tuesday in a first round of voting in an unexpected setback for his new coalition with the center-left Social Democrats.

Friedrich Merz's failure on Tuesday to win the required absolute majority in parliament to be elected chancellor of Germany leaves him weakened but not yet defeated.