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.

Merz' appointment ends six months of political deadlock in the country after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government in November.

Friedrich Merz's bid to become Germany's 10th chancellor has unexpectedly failed in the first round of parliamentary voting. Mr Merz, leader of the country's conservative party, needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot. He received 310 - falling short by just six votes.