She took office with a small plurality after her party was forced to build a coalition with her opponent 's party , the center-left Social Democratic Party ( SPD ) . Angela Merkel wins third place . Merkel 's party comes within two seats of a super majority , early results show . Her bloc 's CDU and CSU parties garnered 41.5 % of the vote , results show . Merkel was reelected as Chancellor in 2005 and then again in 2009 .
Angela Merkel wins third place . Merkel 's party comes within two seats of a super majority , early results show . Her bloc 's CDU and CSU parties garnered 41.5 % of the vote , results show . Merkel was reelected as Chancellor in 2005 and then again in 2009 .