Merkel Re-Elected as German Christian Democrats Chair

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) speaks during the CDU federal party meeting in Hanover, Germany, 04 December 2012. EPA/BGNES

German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected of the center-right German Christian Democratic Union party at a congress Tuesday.

Merkel gathered close to 98% of the delegates' votes, the highest percentage she has gathered this far, report agencies.

She received a standing ovation following her speach at the two days' CDU congress in Hanover.

In her address, the German Chancellor argued that her present cabinet is "Germany's strongest since Unification" in 1990.

Merkel has been leading the Christian Democratic Union since 2000, and is the first female leader of the party.

She is also the first woman to hold the position of Federal Chancellor of Germany, which she occupies for a second term in a row.