In Berlin today, Friedrich Mertz was elected Germany's chancellor, but not without a surprising setback.

For the first time in Germany's modern history, he lost the parliament's initial vote and needed a second round to secure a majority.

Nick Schifrin is back now with this report on the challenges that Mertz inherits from a politically divided Germany to an American president

who's questioned the transatlantic alliance.

Today in Germany, a bitter victory.

Frederick Mertz became Germany's 10th post-World War II Chancellor and the first to lose an initial secret

round of voting.

Mertz had promised to begin his chancellorship forcefully, and today showed the fragility of

his leadership and coalition.

But this evening at the official handover ceremony with outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholes,

Mertz brushed to the side.

Today, what a day, with a few surprises.

I accept this responsibility with humility, but also with determination and confidence.

Wolfgang Isinger is the longtime former chairman of the Munich Security Conference and the former German ambassador to the U.S. and UK.

When I look at foreign policy, security and defense, I see a government being formed today in Berlin, which is going to have a very, very solid background.

You're gambling with World War III.

Mertz's international challenges begin with an American president

who's fought openly with European leaders.

To this moment, Meretz reacted with horror.

In my opinion, it was not a spontaneous reaction to interventions by Zelensky,

but obviously a triggered escalation.

When Vice President Vance lectured Europe on democracy in Munich.

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