Merkel to lead ‘sick man’ Germany as first female chancellor

GERMANY has been the sick man of Europe for almost a decade and despite major attempts by Gerhard Schroeder and his Social Democrats (SPD) to introduce reform, the country’s growth remains among the slowest of any EU country.

For Chancellor-to-be Angela Merkel the challenges are likely to be even more difficult than they were for Mr Schroeder.

With unemployment rates of 11% and growth predicted to be a sluggish 1% next year, something needs to be done.