Merkel takes power as first female chancellor in Germany

ANGELA MERKEL took power yesterday as Germany’s eighth post-Second World War leader and its first female chancellor, heading an unwieldy alliance with the tough job of turning around Europe’s biggest economy after years of stagnation and six months of political turmoil.

The 51-year-old former scientist succeeded Gerhard Schroeder, whose government of Social Democrats and Greens was ousted by voters on September 18.

Parliament voted 397 to 202, with 12 abstentions, well more than the 308 votes she needed.