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Merz wins vote to be Germany’s next chancellor at second attempt, hours after shock defeat

# Germany’s Friedrich Merz has won a parliamentary vote to become chancellor at the second attempt. In a hastily organised session yesterdat afternoon, 325 lawmakers voted to approve his ascension, more than the 316 he required. Merz, who won an election in February and unveiled a ruling coalition last month, had fallen six votes short earlier in the day, a stunning setback that marked another twist in a tortuous period of uncertainty for the country. He is now set to formally become chancellor after being approved by the German President.