Political deal means that Angela Merkel is to be the first female Chancellor of Germany.
The Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel is set to become German Chancellor in a deal which will see the current Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder step aside after seven years in the position.
The deal ends the stalemate in German politics following last month's inconclusive election result.
Speaking at a news conference, Angela Merkel said that further work had to be done to nail down the new coalition deal, which involves the Social Democrats securing many of the key ministerial positions.
The most important issue for Germans right now is can the new coalition put a stop to the slide in the economy and put the country’s finances back in order.
People may be prepared to give this unlikely outsider from the former East Germany a chance.
An RTÉ News reports on 10 October 2005. The reporter is Tony Connelly.
