Merkel sworn in for second term
Angela Merkel was sworn in for a second term as German chancellor today, a month after her party won national elections.
Ms Merkel, 55, will serve as chancellor of a centre-right government coalition of her Christian Democratic Party, its Bavaria-only sister party the Christian Social Union, and the pro-business Free Democrats.
The new coalition has promised an overhaul of the health care system, more help for families and annual tax cuts.
In 2005 she became the first woman to be elected as Germany’s head of government. During her first term she led a grand coalition of Germany’s two main parties – her conservatives and the Social Democrats.
She is the only German head of government to switch coalition partners between terms in office.
