| Page 2 of 2 < |
Merkel, at Last, Takes Germany's Helm
German Chancellor Angela Merkel receives flowers and best wishes from her predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, at the chancellery in Berlin.
(By Carsten Koall -- Getty Images)
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Under the plan, the sales tax for most products would increase from 16 to 19 percent; the retirement age for workers born after 1970 would be 67, up from 65; and companies could more easily hire and fire employees. Work toward health care reform would also continue, but coalition members bickered on that subject even after the deal was reached.
"I did not think the grand coalition got off to a good start," said Barbara Riedmueller, a political scientist at Berlin's Free University. "It has been too focused on the problems with the budget and less on setting a political course and goals for its projects. And that is the question -- if Dr. Merkel can bring optimism to the population."
Merkel has many times been underestimated during her political career. "She has a very direct way, and that is a chance for her to bring a sense of credibility back to politics. Show business is not her style," noted Riedmueller.
Trained as a physicist, Merkel was working as a researcher at the East German Academy of Science when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. She quickly became active in the Christian Democrat movement, becoming head of the party in 2000.
She comes to office as another easterner, Matthias Platzeck, takes over the Social Democrats. Their simultaneous rise has given unparalleled exposure in the German political world to easterners, a group often eclipsed by west Germans.
Her ascent to office also marks a generational shift. At 51, she is a decade younger than Schroeder and many members of his party.
Not known for emotional outbursts, Merkel increasingly allowed herself to relax and relish the applause during the ceremonial events that unfolded Tuesday.
Following the vote, she visited President Horst Koehler, a member of her own party, who officially named her chancellor and wished her "luck, strength and God's blessing." She then returned to the Parliament to take her oath. The daughter of a Protestant minister, she added the optional "so help me God" to her recitations. Schroeder had skipped those words.
In the evening, Schroeder handed over the chancellery's administrative offices. In a brief ceremony as staff members looked on, Merkel made her most extensive remarks of the day, praising Schroeder as "a German chancellor whom people will remember fondly." He listened, appearing at times to be choked with emotion.
Shortly afterward, Schroeder left the building. He has announced that on Wednesday he will resign his parliamentary seat and return to his profession as a lawyer.
In an editorial Tuesday, the Bild tabloid appealed for the two parties to focus on their tasks and cooperate. "If the coalition fails," it said, "we are all losers."
