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Germany's Merkel begins new term Germany's Merkel begins new term
(about 2 hours later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been formally re-elected for a second term by MPs, as her coalition prepares to be sworn in.German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been formally re-elected for a second term by MPs, as her coalition prepares to be sworn in.
The new coalition government is made up of Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrat CDU/CSU and the Free Democrats (FDP).The new coalition government is made up of Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrat CDU/CSU and the Free Democrats (FDP).
It has already promised controversial tax cuts in an effort to boost growth and kick-start the economy.It has already promised controversial tax cuts in an effort to boost growth and kick-start the economy.
But the idea of tax cuts has already been condemned by Germany's opposition parties and some regional governors.But the idea of tax cuts has already been condemned by Germany's opposition parties and some regional governors.
Mrs Merkel was voted in by 323 MPs with 285 against the nomination and four abstaining.Mrs Merkel was voted in by 323 MPs with 285 against the nomination and four abstaining.
As she was applauded and presented with flowers, she said: "I accept the result and thank you for your trust," the AFP news agency reported.As she was applauded and presented with flowers, she said: "I accept the result and thank you for your trust," the AFP news agency reported.
She was later formally sworn in.
Preferred partnersPreferred partners
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says the last time Mrs Merkel took the oath of office, in 2005, she was in a weaker position.The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says the last time Mrs Merkel took the oath of office, in 2005, she was in a weaker position.
She had been forced to share power with her centre-left opponents in an awkward grand coalition.She had been forced to share power with her centre-left opponents in an awkward grand coalition.
However, our correspondent says this time around things look very different, and Mrs Merkel has developed "political muscle".However, our correspondent says this time around things look very different, and Mrs Merkel has developed "political muscle".
She is popular and now able to govern with her preferred coalition partner, the liberals, he says.She is popular and now able to govern with her preferred coalition partner, the liberals, he says.
But while Mrs Merkel may be stronger, the Germany economy is far weaker now than it was four years ago, our correspondent says.But while Mrs Merkel may be stronger, the Germany economy is far weaker now than it was four years ago, our correspondent says.
And the new coalition's plans are controversial.And the new coalition's plans are controversial.
It wants to kick-start the economy - the largest in Europe - by cutting taxes - despite the fact that Germany's budget deficit is around 1.5 trillion euros (£1.35 trillion) and rising.It wants to kick-start the economy - the largest in Europe - by cutting taxes - despite the fact that Germany's budget deficit is around 1.5 trillion euros (£1.35 trillion) and rising.
It also plans to overhaul the health system and give more help to families during the next four years.It also plans to overhaul the health system and give more help to families during the next four years.
President Horst Koehler is due to swear in the new coalition government at a ceremony at the Reichstag in Berlin.President Horst Koehler is due to swear in the new coalition government at a ceremony at the Reichstag in Berlin.