BERLIN, May 6, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to win election as chancellor in a first round of voting by lawmakers Tuesday, in an unexpected setback.

Merz had expected to win a majority of the 630 members of the Bundestag, but won the backing of only 310 MPs, with 307 voting against in the first round.

There will now be two further rounds of voting, and in the third and final round a simple majority of lawmakers will suffice to see him elected.

The vote had been widely seen as a formality, with Merz backed by a coalition of his CDU/CSU alliance and the centre-left Social Democrats, who together have 328 seats.

Three lawmakers abstained, with one invalid ballot, while nine MPs were absent.