Merkel sworn in as German Chancellor

Angela Merkel has been officially sworn in as German Chancellor. She takes up the country’s top post for a second term.

The swearing in ceremony follows a vote in the Bundestag this morning. Merkel’s re-appointment comes as no surprise. Since last month’s elections, her CDU party has formed a coalition with pro-business party, the FDP. In a day of formalities, the Germany’s new government will itself be sworn in later on. 55 year old Merkel became the country’s first woman Chancellor in 2005. She’s also the only Chancellor to have grown up in communist former East Germany. Her biggest priority will be strengthening the German economy after the global financial crisis. Her plans include a controversial tax relief programme worth 21 billion Euros.

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