Merkel elected for fourth term as German chancellor

German lawmakers have re-elected Angela Merkel as the country’s chancellor for the fourth time.

She was re-elected in a secret ballot on Wednesday.

364 of the 709 lawmakers voted in favour of Merkel — nine more than the 50 percent required.

“I accept the vote,” CNN quoted Merkel to have told the lower house of parliament after the vote.

There are reports it is likely her final term and may prove her most challenging yet as she leads a fragile coalition in the country.

Merkel is billed to first travel to the Berlin residence of German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to be officially nominated.

She will then return to the Bundestag to be sworn in as Chancellor later on Wednesday.