Friedrich Merz is poised to become chancellor at a challenging time for Germany. But in a first round of voting in Parliament, he fell short Tuesday of getting enough votes to be named leader.

How difficult his chancellorship could be became apparent when he failed to get confirmed in a first round of voting Tuesday.

Conservative Friedrich Merz is set to be sworn in on Tuesday as Germany's new chancellor at a critical juncture as the economy battles its longest post-war downturn, relations with top security ally the United States fray and the far-right surges.