Merkel Begins Third Term Strengthened by SPD Partner Backing
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Angela Merkel begins her third term as German chancellor buttressed by the overwhelming support of her Social Democratic coalition partner and with her veteran finance minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble, at her side.
Merkel’s government will be sworn in tomorrow after almost three months of bartering on policies and personnel between her Christian Democratic Union, its CSU Bavarian sister party and the SPD. The three party leaders and the members of Merkel’s new cabinet signed a coalition accord today outlining their joint platform for the next four years.