First failed vote highlights Germany’s new head of government has a thin majority to deliver an ambitious programme

The leader of Germany's Christian Democrat-Social Democratic coalition, Friedrich Merz, suffered a shock defeat Tuesday in his bid to become chancellor after failing to secure a majority in a vote in the Bundestag.

The session of Germany’s Bundestag started in a festive mood with greetings for dignitaries there to witness a peaceful handover of power. A little over an hour later, havoc ensued that will leave a lasting mark on the start of Friedrich Merz’s term as chancellor.