Former Chancellor Merkel watches as lawmakers set to elect Merz
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel was among several special guests watching from the gallery as parliament prepared to elect conservative Friedrich Merz as chancellor.
Ms Merkel and Mr Merz, both members of the Christian Democrats, fell out after Ms Merkel gained the party leadership in 2002, with Mr Merz gradually withdrawing from politics.
Mr Merz withdrew to pursue a career in corporate law before returning after Mr Merkel’s retirement in 2021.
Ms Merkel congratulated her former rival on his February election win and wished him good fortune.
Wearing a pale yellow blazer, Ms Merkel briefly got up, smiled and waved to lawmakers when Bundestag President Julia Klöckner welcomed her to Tuesday’s session.
Ms Merkel sat next to Rita Süssmuth, president of the Bundestag from 1988 to 1998.
Other guests included the president of the upper house, Anke Rehlinger, and the German parliament’s commissioner for the armed forces, Eva Högl.
(dpa/NAN)
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