Storyline: Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was elected as Chancellor on Tuesday, marking a significant shift in Germany's political landscape since 2021. Merz secured 325 votes in the Bundestag, the country's lower house of parliament, surpassing the required 316-seat majority. In the initial round of voting earlier in the day, he received 310 votes, becoming the first chancellor candidate since World War II to fail to win election in the first round. The arrival of the new government signals a new phase of transformation in Germany's domestic and foreign policies. Following the unsuccessful first vote, Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner suspended the plenary session. Parliamentary groups of political parties then held several hours of negotiations before proceeding to a second round of voting. After the final result, Merz was formally appointed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a ceremony at Schloss Bellevue, the official residence of the Federal President. As federal chancellor, Merz will head a new coalition government formed by the Union bloc (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The new cabinet members took their oaths of office at the end of the Bundestag session, and the government is expected to hold its first cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening. Shotlist: FLIE: Berlin, Germany - Feb 2025: 1. Various of national flags of Germany; Bundestag building Berlin, Germany - May 6, 2025: 2. Germany chancellor Friedrich Merz speaking during second round of voting at Reichstag building 3. Various of Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner speaking during second round of voting 4. Various of Merz, participants of second round of voting 5. Outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz seen during second round of voting 6. Jornalists, photographers. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]