German lawmakers are set to vote to determine whether conservative leader Friedrich Merz will become the country's 10th chancellor since the end of World War II.
Mr Merz is aiming to lead the most populous country in the 27-member European Union after the government of former Chancellor Olaf Scholz fell last year.
Germany has the largest economy in Europe and occupies an important place on the international stage.
Mr Merz's priorities will include the conflict in Ukraine and the Trump administration's trade policies, as well as domestic challenges such as economic stagnation and growing support for a far-right anti-immigrant party.
If Mr Merz fails to secure the required number of votes, the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, will have 14 days to elect a candidate who will receive an absolute majority.
If this fails, the constitution allows the president to appoint the candidate who receives the most votes as chancellor, or to dissolve the Bundestag and call new elections.
– 80th anniversary of World War II
Mr Merz needs to secure the support of at least 316 of the 630 members of the Bundestag.
The vote comes on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender.
The secret ballot will take place in the restored Reichstag, where graffiti left by Soviet soldiers has been preserved.
If Mr Merz is elected, he will face questions about the future of the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party, also known as AfD.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
