She said that by seeking re-election she wants to provide stability and direction in difficult times
U S President Barack Obama who said he might vote for Merkel if he was German
Merkel's Christian Democratic Party won 17.8 per cent, down 5.6 per cent
On the eve of the EU gathering in Bratislava, Merkel, on her visit to Paris, expressed a real willingness to move forward
Lower house of the German parliament passed resolution calling the mass killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces during World War I a genocide
She also said that the group planned to set up a task force on innovation
The country has been shaken by a string of attacks, two of which were the first in Germany claimed by the IS
When the chips are down in Europe, everyone turns to Angela Merkel for a solution. But the German chancellor often sits on her hands until the last minute, then does the minimum necessary to keep the show on the road.Since last month's shock British referendum vote to leave the European Union, all eyes have been on Berlin to indicate a way out of danger for the 27 members who will remain.As usual, Merkel, the continent's most powerful and experienced leader, is biding her time and letting underlings air their differences without tipping her hand before she departs for her three-week summer break this week.Votes had barely been tallied in Britain when her vice-chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, leader of the centre-left Social Democrats, and European Parliament President Martin Schulz rushed out a 10-point plan for a "refoundation" of Europe. Lamenting that ever more citizens doubted Europe's ability to deliver a better future, they called for a more federal Europe with the European Commission
Britain voted for an exit from the EU which led to Prime Minister David Cameron announcing his resignation
However, she added that it was up to the British people to determine the country's future relations with the EU
Merkel's visit comes amid growing worries among German firms over obstacles they face in doing business with China
Merkel and Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser have discussed Kuka in recent days
The trip comes in the back of rowing pressure from German industry and rights groups to confront the Chinese more forcefully
Dozens of ministers and vice ministers of both countries will attend the fourth Chinese-German dialogue in Beijing
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was speaking on the eve of her govt's first major test at the polls since last year's record influx of refugees
More than 12 million voters are electing three new regional parliaments and is largely billed as a referendum on Merkel's decision to open the country's doors to people fleeing war