Merkel faces tough times as chancellor

ANGELA MERKEL becomes Germany’s eighth post-war chancellor today - but only after being forced into awkward compromises on taxes and welfare-state reforms that could undermine her coalition and slow efforts to fix a lagging economy.

Lawmakers meet today to elect Ms Merkel, 51, as Germany’s first female leader. She will lead a “grand coalition” of her conservative bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats of outgoing chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Ms Merkel needs support from 308 members of the 614-seat lower house to succeed Schroeder. With the coalition holding 448 seats, her victory is practically assured.