Germany's Merkel wins her third term

BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives triumphed in Germany's election Sunday, and are hoping for the first single-party majority in more than 50 years. While Merkel was headed for a third term, her center-right coalition partners faced ejection from parliament for the first time in post-World War II history.

Depending on what parties end up in parliament, Merkel could also find herself leading a "grand coalition" government with the left-leaning Social Democrats or - less likely - with the environmentalist Greens. Either way, that would likely take several weeks of difficult negotiations.

Merkel, Germany's chancellor since 2005 and the de facto leader of the response to Europe's debt crisis during the last three years, told supporters it was "a super result." She wouldn't immediately speculate about the shape of the next government, but the 59-year-old made clear she plans to serve a full term.

"I see the next four years in front of me and I can promise that we will face many tasks, at home, in Europe and in the world," Merkel said during a television appearance with other party leaders.

If her current coalition lacks a majority and the conservatives can't govern alone, the likeliest outcome is a Merkel-led alliance with the Social Democrats. The two are traditional rivals, but governed Germany together in Merkel's first term after an inconclusive 2005 election.

"The ball is in Merkel's court," her center-left challenger, Peer Steinbrueck, said. "She has to get herself a majority."

Merkel's conservative Union bloc won about 42 percent of the vote, an improvement of more than eight points over Germany's last election in 2009, according to ARD and ZDF television projections based on exit polls and early counting. They showed the conservatives falling just short of an absolute majority. Her coalition partners of the past four years, the pro-business Free Democrats, were projected to win only 4.5 percent.

Nevertheless, the Union's strong showing was a personal victory for Merkel, solidifying her position as Europe's strongest political leader.

"We will do everything together in the next four years to make them successful years for Germany," Merkel said. Merkel was interrupted by cheers and chants of "Angie! Angie! Angie!" as she made a brief appearance at her party's headquarters.

Angela Merkel becomes the fourth chancellor since World War II to win a third term.

If Merkel serves the whole term as she said she intends, she will have spent 12 years as German leader, more than the 111/2 years managed by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Merkel won praise from German voters for what they see as her deft handling of Europe's debt crisis.

Merkel steadily rose through the ranks to become chancellor for the first time in 2005. Her favorite phrase is: "step by step." EndText