Angela Merkel was on Wednesday sworn in as the Chancellor of Germany for the second consecutive term at the head of a new coalition, shortly after she was re-elected to the post by lawmakers.
Following her victory in the September general elections, a majority of German lawmakers voted for a second term for Merkel, with 323 in favour, 285 against and four abstentions. She was then formally named by President Horst Koehler.
Merkel was administered the oath of office by Norbert Lammert, who was also re-elected as the speaker of the new Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament, at its constituting session yesterday.
"I accept the result and thank you for your trust," she said.
Nine MPs belonging to her newly formed centre-right of Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) did not vote for her.
The ruling coalition has a total strength of 332 seats in the Bundestag, the lower house of Parliament.
The 17th Bundestag has a total of 622 members, eight more than in the out-going house and 202 of them have entered the parliament for the first time, marking a change of generation in the German politics.
{{/usCountry}}The 17th Bundestag has a total of 622 members, eight more than in the out-going house and 202 of them have entered the parliament for the first time, marking a change of generation in the German politics.
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