Friedrich Merz failed to get the majority needed to become German chancellor in a parliamentary vote Tuesday. Merz needed at least 316 votes to become chancellor and only 310 members of parliament voted in his favor.

Conservative Friedrich Merz is set to be sworn in on Tuesday as Germany's new chancellor at a critical juncture as the economy battles its longest post-war downturn, relations with top security ally the United States fray and the far-right surges.

The new German chancellor has taken a hard line on immigration, as well as against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.