Merkel starts second term

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel formally embarked on a second term yesterday, at the head of a new coalition pledging to make Europe’s biggest economy emerge stronger from the financial crisis.

Following her general election victory on September 27, a majority of German lawmakers voted for a second term for Merkel, with 323 in favour, 285 against and four abstentions.

“I accept the result and thank you for your trust,” she said, as lawmakers applauded and presented her with bouquets of flowers in the main chamber of the Reichstag parliament building.