Berlin, May 6 (AP) German lawmakers are set to vote on the next chancellor again on Tuesday afternoon, hours after Friedrich Merz failed to win the first round in parliament in a historic defeat.

Merz, the conservative leader, had been expected to smoothly win the vote to become Germany's 10th chancellor since World War II. A candidate for chancellor has never failed to win on the first ballot in post-war Germany.

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Merz needed a majority of 316 out of 630 votes in a secret ballot but only received 310 votes — well short of the 328 seats held by his coalition.

The lower house of parliament has 14 days to elect a candidate with an absolute majority.

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Merz can run again, but other lawmakers can also throw their hat in the ring. (AP)

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