Now it’s neither.This was the central message from the chaotic transfer of power on Tuesday that saw Friedrich Merz, the conservative winner of the last election, take the helm of the world’s third-largest economy.

Germany’s Friedrich Merz has formally become chancellor at the second attempt, hours after an unprecedented defeat signaled deep discontent within his coalition.

The leader of Germany's Christian Democrat-Social Democratic coalition, Friedrich Merz, suffered a shock defeat Tuesday in his bid to become chancellor after failing to secure a majority in a vote in the Bundestag.