Friedrich Merz was elected Germany’s new chancellor on Tuesday, hours after a historic defeat in the first ballot.

The leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) initially fell short by six votes, securing 310 of the 316 needed for a majority.

However, he won 325 votes in the second ballot.

Merz, who led the CDU to a federal election victory in February, had promised to revitalize the economy, tighten immigration, and strengthen Germany’s position internationally.

His failure to win on the first ballot was seized upon by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which called him “damaged,” NBC News has reported.

Germany has not had a majority government since November, following the collapse of Olaf Scholz’s SPD-led coalition.

Written by B.C. Begley