Angela Merkel officially confirmed on Monday that she would become Germany's first female chancellor, ending Gerhard Schroeder's seven years in the position. The announcement came after a power-sharing coalition deal was made in which Merkel will be given six seats in a new German cabinet while the Social Democrats led by Mr. Schroeder would be given eight.
At a news conference following the deal, Ms. Merkel referred to the agreement as "good and fair", according to the <i>AP</i>. She added that "there is no alternative to a reform course" for Germany.
The development follows a three week face-off between the parties after voters chose to oust Mr. Schroeder after seven years as chancellor but failed to give Ms. Merkel the majority she needed to become chancellor.
In return for granting Ms. Merkel the chancellorship, the Social Democrats received eight top ministries in the new German cabinet, including: foreign, finance, justice, health, transport, environment and development.
