The leader of Germany's Christian Democrat-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.

Friedrich Merz narrowly lost the first round of voting Tuesday to become Germany's next chancellor, in a surprise setback for the CDU party leader. Merz, who has been the favourite to become chancellor since his party won the federal election in February,

Friedrich Merz’s bid to become Germany’s 10th chancellor has failed in the first round of voting in parliament by six votes.