Friedrich Merz has secured a majority in the second round of voting at the German Bundestag, averting a constitutional crisis. Follow DW for more.

Social Democratic coalition, Friedrich Merz, suffered a shock defeat Tuesday in his bid to become chancellor after failing to secure a majority in a vote in the Bundestag.

Germany's lower house of parliament on Tuesday convened for the election of Friedrich Merz as the country's new chancellor. Merz requires an absolute majority of votes in the 630-seat Bundestag to succeed the outgoing chancellor,