Germany's opposite Christian Democrats (CDU) Monday nominated its general secretary Angela Merkel as new leader to succeed Wolfgang Schaeuble. Merkel, 45, came from a rural pastor's family in Brandenburg state. The former physics teacher in east Germany is popular among CDU's young members and regional divisions. She is due be the first woman to give the conservative CDU "a new begin" out of the crisis triggered by its former leader Helmut Kohl's slush funds scandal.

Merkel's candidacy won "unanimous backing" of a CDU presidium meeting Monday, acting party chairman Schaeuble said. Schaeuble decided to step down last month in the wake of funding scandals of Kohl and himself.

"After a series of regional conferences, it seems that the grass-rooted party divisions want Merkel as the future leader," said Schaeuble.

The CDU presidium will recommend Merkel to the party congress scheduled for April 9 to 11, and her candidacy is expected to win overwhelming votes, he said.

Political Analysts call Merkel "a centrist," "representing a new generation," and "an appropriate person" to steer the CDU, 90 per cent members of which come from west Germany. Merkel expressed her "clear willingness" to run for the party leadership at a press conference after CDU presidium meeting. On the question whether a woman is qualified to lead a conservative party with a majority of men, she said, "it shows equality, women are people, too."