 Christian Democrats leader Angela Merkel is set to replace Gerhard Schroeder as Germany's next chancellor, in a political deal that will see the departure of Mr Schroeder from the national political stage, senior members of the ruling Social Democrats have told the Financial Times.
| Hurrah! Goodbye, Gerhard! Write if you get work! |
The newspaper said Ms Merkel's expected victory in the battle for the chancellorship was likely to be announced today, after a meeting yesterday in Berlin between Mr Schroeder and Ms Merkel, according to the SPD politicians, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The two leaders met on Thursday for four hours to agree the framework of a SPD-CDU coalition, but refused to disclose details, the newspaper said. The talks also include SPD leader Franz Muentefering, and Bavarian Premier Edmund Stoiber. Officials close to Mr Schroeder told the paper that the Chancellor would not become vice-chancellor and foreign minister in the coalition, despite pressure from within the SPD for him do so. "The chancellor has done what was necessary, to ensure the SPD is on an equal footing with the CDU in the coalition," one official said. |