Alternative fuer Deutschland leader Alice Weidel called for a new general election in Germany after Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz failed to secure the Bundestag majority needed to be confirmed as the next chancellor.

"Merz should step aside and the way should be cleared for a general election," Weidel told reporters after the parliament vote and added today was a "good day for Germany." The comments come after the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) branded the AfD an "extremist" far-right group and reports suggested Merz's government could ban the party.

Meanwhile, German media reported that the second round of voting on Merz becoming chancellor will not take place today and is likely expected on Friday.