Merz fails in bid to become German chancellor

German conservative leader Friedrich Merz failed to garner the parliamentary majority needed to become chancellor in a first round of voting that is an unexpected setback for his new coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats.

Merz, 69, who led his CDU/CSU conservatives to win a federal election in February and since secured a coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), won just 310 votes on Tuesday in the lower house of parliament, Bundestag president Julia Kloeckner said.

He needed 316 to secure a majority to become Germany's 10th chancellor.

Kloeckner said she was interrupting the parliamentary session so the parliamentary groups could consult on how to proceed.

The Bundestag has 14 days to elect Merz or another candidate chancellor with an outright majority - and could attempt another vote on Tuesday.

Merz's conservatives won national elections in February with 28.5 per cent of the vote but need at least one partner to form a majority government.

On Monday they signed a coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats, who won just 16.4 per cent, their worst result in German postwar history.