Friedrich Merz, the conservative leader seeking to become Germany’s next chancellor, failed to obtain the necessary votes to win the position in parliament on Tuesday.

Out of a total of 630 votes, Merz needed a majority of 316 to win the country’s vote in the Bundestag, according to the Associated Press. However, Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, only received 310. The failure to obtain the necessary votes was considered a surprise, as it was speculated that Merz would win relatively easily since his party had won Germany’s federal election in February.