Merkel to become next German chancellor

The news emerged on Monday (10 October) after a decisive top-level meeting between the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD).

After the meeting Ms Merkel indirectly confirmed to journalists that she will be the one to take the helm as Chancellor.

German media report that after one journalist asked how she felt about being the future chancellor, the CDU leader replied, "I'm feeling good".

Ms Merkel said the grand coalition was going to be a "coalition of new possibilities".

"We are at a crucial crossroads for German politics", she stated.

But she also added that official coalition talks between the SPD and CDU on the new cabinet will take long time.

Parties have already agreed on the division of ministerial posts in the new cabinet.

German media note the CDU has paid a heavy price for getting the chancellorship – which was also claimed by the SPD after a close election result three weeks ago.

In the Merkel cabinet, the SPD will get eight ministerial posts, while the CDU will only get six.

The SPD has secured key ministries such as the foreign affairs and labour market portfolios.

The CDU, on the other hand, is said to have secured the interior and economics ministries.

Stoiber in, Schroder out?

Edmund Stoiber, the Bavarian leader of the CSU, the CDU's sister party, will take up the post of economics minister in Berlin, German media report.

Mr Stoiber's portfolio will notably also comprise EU affairs.

It is still unclear whether Mr Schroder will now fully retreat from national politics.

SPD chief Muntefering said this afternoon that "no decisions" had been taken on the issue yet, but the chancellor is reported to have said in an internal meeting that it was not his "life planning" to become a vice chancellor or a minister.

Meanwhile, various candidates are mentioned in the press for the post of foreign minister, probably combined with the function of vice chancellor.

Most frequently mentioned for the top job is current SPD interior minister Otto Schily, but European commisioner for industry Gunter Verheugen is also said to have good chances.

Another candidate for the post, current defence minister Peter Struck, on Monday denied that he is available.