Friedrich Merz wins on second ballot to become Germany’s chancellor, hours after his historic defeat

Ajancy .Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday he seeks more European and transatlantic leadership from Germany following Friedrich Merz’s win to become the country’s 10th chancellor.

Merz lost the first round of votes Tuesday morning in a historic defeat, but ultimately prevailed hours later on the second ballot.

Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine, after the United States. BERLIN (AP) — Friedrich Merz succeeded Tuesday in his bid to become the next German chancellor during a second vote in parliament, hours after he suffered a historic defeat in the first round.