Germany Has First Female Chacellor Nominee (a conservative)

[Robbien]

BERLIN -- Germany's conservative opposition on Monday nominated Angela Merkel, a former chemistry researcher who entered politics during the collapse of communism, as its challenger to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Merkel, 50, who grew up in East Germany, was the expected candidate to challenge Schroeder after the chancellor called for national elections to be advanced by a year following a shattering state election defeat for his party a week ago.

. . .

Merkel, leader of the Christian Democratic Union opposition party, launched her election bid with a promise to tackle Germany's 12 percent jobless rate by giving companies more flexibility in firing people and setting hours _ but without dismantling the traditional welfare state.

She said the regulation-clogged economy had to be "faster, more flexible and better" and advocated loosening Germany's strict rules on layoffs and working hours. But Merkel was quick to challenge the idea that she would dismantle the social safety net.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/30/AR2005053000659.html

sure social safety net is safe as long as it doesn't interfere with company's 'flexibility'.