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German Parliament Elects Merkel to Third Term German Parliament Elects Merkel to Third Term
(about 2 hours later)
BERLIN — German lawmakers have elected Angela Merkel to lead a coalition government, marking her third term as chancellor at a time when Germany faces an array of economic and political challenges at home and abroad.BERLIN — German lawmakers have elected Angela Merkel to lead a coalition government, marking her third term as chancellor at a time when Germany faces an array of economic and political challenges at home and abroad.
The vote on Tuesday came nearly three months after Ms. Merkel, 59, emerged from a general election on Sept. 22 as the winner, but short of a clear majority, forcing her to form a new government. That led to weeks of negotiations with the Social Democrats, the traditional rival of her conservative Christian Democratic Union, to form a so-called grand coalition.The vote on Tuesday came nearly three months after Ms. Merkel, 59, emerged from a general election on Sept. 22 as the winner, but short of a clear majority, forcing her to form a new government. That led to weeks of negotiations with the Social Democrats, the traditional rival of her conservative Christian Democratic Union, to form a so-called grand coalition.
The chancellor was elected with 462 votes out of 621 lawmakers present.The chancellor was elected with 462 votes out of 621 lawmakers present.
The new government has pledged to focus on weaning the country from nuclear power and to introduce a nationwide minimum wage, a plan that has dismayed many in Germany’s strong business lobby, which fears an increase in employment costs will hurt the country’s labor market.The new government has pledged to focus on weaning the country from nuclear power and to introduce a nationwide minimum wage, a plan that has dismayed many in Germany’s strong business lobby, which fears an increase in employment costs will hurt the country’s labor market.
Abroad, the new government will seek to redefine the relationship with the United States, after the disclosures about the extent of the National Security Agency’s surveillance activities triggered a public outcry, and will also push for further European integration while nurturing the Continent’s return to economic growth.Abroad, the new government will seek to redefine the relationship with the United States, after the disclosures about the extent of the National Security Agency’s surveillance activities triggered a public outcry, and will also push for further European integration while nurturing the Continent’s return to economic growth.
Wolfgang Schäuble, 71, who has steered the country’s economy for the past four years, remains in his position as finance minister, dashing the hopes of some European partners to see an easing of Berlin’s austerity-focused stance. Ursula von der Leyen, 55, becomes the first woman to take over the Defense Ministry, while Sigmar Gabriel, 54, becomes the new economics and energy minister.Wolfgang Schäuble, 71, who has steered the country’s economy for the past four years, remains in his position as finance minister, dashing the hopes of some European partners to see an easing of Berlin’s austerity-focused stance. Ursula von der Leyen, 55, becomes the first woman to take over the Defense Ministry, while Sigmar Gabriel, 54, becomes the new economics and energy minister.
The chancellor, who is to be sworn in later in the day and will give the first address of her third term to Parliament on Wednesday, appeared calm and cheerful during the session Tuesday. As lawmakers gathered at the urns to cast their ballots, she smiled and waved to her mother who watched from the public gallery. The chancellor, who is to be sworn in later in the day and will give the first address of her third term to Parliament on Wednesday, appeared calm and cheerful during the session on Tuesday. As lawmakers gathered to cast their ballots, she smiled and waved to her mother, who watched from the public gallery.