BERLIN, May 24 (UPI) -- Germany's main opposition party has nominated a female physicist to run against Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in national elections later this year.
The Christian Democratic Union named Protestant divorcee Angela Merkel, 50, as the conservative challenger Monday after Schroeder surprised the country when he announced an early election, likely in September.
The Telegraph said within her party Merkel is seen as something of a misfit -- being a Protestant rather than a Catholic, a woman rather than a man, and a childless divorcee rather than fitting into the CDU's ideal of a stay-at-home, loyal wife and mother.
She has spoken of her desire to lessen burdens on German business, and has called for less stringent rules governing worker protection.
If she defeats Schroeder, Merkel would become Germany's first woman leader.
