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First Woman Chancellor
Angela Merkel, leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union, is to become chancellor after wining a power struggle with incumbent Gerhard Schroder for the top job in the next government. Mr Schroder's Social Democrats on Monday acknowledged that Ms Merkel had the right to be chancellor afte the CDU, with its CSU Bavarian allies, emerged as the largest parliamentary group in last month's inconclusive election. The decision on the chancellorship came as part of an agreement between the CDU and SPD to open negotiations on forming a grand coalition. Talks start on Monday and Ms Merkel, who will be Germany's first woman chancellor, is likely to assume office in mid-November. Mr Schroder said he would not join the new government. A pastor's daughter with a doctorate in quantum chenistry, she entered politics in 1990. Aged 51, she will be the country's youngest postwar leader. |