Friedrich Merz clinches Chancellor vote after suffering embarrassing first round blow

Berlin had been plunged into political turmoil earlier today after the 69-year-old CDU leader fell six votes short of the threshold.

Merz had hoped his negotiations with the centre-left Social Democrats would have proved enough to get him over the line.

However, this year's Grand Coalition is already proving to be the most fragile since World War Two, with just 52 percent of seats.

Merz's failure to secure the Chancellorship in today's first round also ensured the CDU leader became the first candidate since 1949 to be forced into a second ballot.

It also meant that at least 18 coalition MPs failed to back Merz in the first round of voting.

The second ballot still saw 289 vote against Merz's candidacy, with one German MP abstaining and a further three ballots being deemed invalid.

Alternative for Germany co-leader Alice Weidel put pressure on Merz following the first round earlier today, warning Merz's Government had a "weak foundation".

The centre-right CDU/CSU coalition secured 208 out of 630 seats in the 21st German Bundestag.

Following intense negotiations, the centre-right opted for a Grand Coalition with the centre-left SPD'S 120 MPs.

The AfD cemented second-place on 152 MPs, with the Greens returning 85 lawmakers to Berlin.

Announcing the result of the second vote, Jens Spahn, the head of the Union bloc in the Bundestag, said: "The whole of Europe, perhaps even the whole world, is watching this second round of elections."

While conservatives enthusiastically applauded, Merz told Bundestag President Julia Klöckner: "Madam President, I thank you for your trust and I accept the election."

Merz will complete the ceremonial procedures later this afternoon and evening.

The 69-year-old is expected to immediately start his work as German Chancellor by attending events in Paris and Warsaw tomorrow.