Merkel, at Last, Takes Germany's Helm

New Chancellor Acknowledges High Expectations as Critics Note Challenges

BERLIN, Nov. 22 -- Angela Merkel took the oath as chancellor of Germany on Tuesday, becoming the first woman and the first person from the former communist east to hold her country's highest office. She quickly convened a meeting of a fragile coalition cabinet, whose members have pledged to end months of political paralysis and pull Europe's largest economy out of five years of stagnation.

"Expectations are very high among people in this country that problems get solved, policies made and decisions taken," Merkel said as she formally took possession of the imposing glass chancellery building from her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder.

Earlier in the day, the lower house of Parliament elected Merkel chancellor -- 397 in favor, 202 against, 12 abstentions. Applause erupted in the chamber when the numbers were read aloud. "I accept the result," she told fellow legislators, a smile breaking the reserve she usually displays at public functions.

Schroeder, who two months ago publicly told Merkel she would never be chancellor, strode over to offer the first congratulations.

Her swearing-in brought a close to two months of uncertainty that began with the inconclusive election of Sept. 18. In that vote, Merkel's Christian Democrats won a plurality of seats, but not enough to govern on their own or with the partner of their choice, the Free Democrats.

Negotiations began in an effort to form a coalition. After weeks of bargaining, posturing and name-calling, a deal emerged for a "grand coalition" that would team up the country's two largest parties, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, for the first time since 1969.

The coalition hardly guarantees stability, and many Germans do not expect it to last its full four-year term. Internal dissension was on display in the vote, with 51 members of Merkel's coalition voting against her Tuesday.

"Such a large number of no votes is a sign that the new government's foundation is shakier than it claims," said Free Democrat leader Guido Westerwelle.

Merkel's coalition has promised to improve relations with the United States, which were frayed by Schroeder's vocal opposition to the war in Iraq. There is no talk, however, of a dramatic shift in the German position toward the war. The government has refused to send troops but has helped in the training of Iraqi soldiers and police.

The White House congratulated Merkel and expressed hope she would meet soon with President Bush. "We look forward to working closely with Chancellor Merkel and the new government to strengthen the U.S.-German partnership in advancing freedom and prosperity around the world," said Kate Starr, spokeswoman for the National Security Council.

A legislative plan that the two coalition parties have negotiated focuses on how to revive the German economy, which suffers an 11 percent unemployment rate. Both parties agree that the country's generous social welfare system costs too much and is holding back entrepreneurship.

Merkel's party wanted comparatively deep cuts in social welfare, but the Social Democrats, whose heritage is in the labor movement, forced a more cautious approach. Nevertheless, the coalition has agreed to some potentially unpopular changes.