Breaking news: Merz becomes Germany’s leader after stumbling in first parliamentary vote
The conservative leader rebounded from a surprising morning defeat in Parliament.
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The New York Times

May 6, 2025, 10:38 a.m. ET

BREAKING NEWS

Friedrich Merz wearing a suit, blue tie and white shirt.
Tobias Schwarz/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Friedrich Merz Becomes Germany’s Leader After Setback

The conservative leader won a second-chance vote to become chancellor, rebounding from a defeat in Parliament hours earlier that had threatened to hobble the new government before it was sworn into office.

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