Angela Merkel looks set for a fourth term as German Chancellor
Angela Merkel looks set for a fourth term as German chancellor after she was formally proposed by the President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Parliament will meet on March 14 to rubber stamp her nomination
Merkel said after months of uncertaintly she wants to hit the ground running.
"It's important that we start quickly with our work and as soon a possible with a new chancellor," she said. "I hope that I will be re-elected. I can and will do everything so that this government works well for the people of Germany."
Merkel's coalition partners the Christian Socialist Union was caught on the back foot after putting forward an all-male shortlist for its new ministers
Dorothea B"ar, was hastily added to the list and in the newly-created Secretary of State post in charge of digitalisation.