Germany in general elections, Merkel removal expected

Government spokeswoman Martina Fietz presented the date, which German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier must sign.

Merkel has promised that she will no longer run four mandates, leaving the future direction of Europe's largest economy open.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer had proposed 26 September as an election date last week, following talks with the country's 16 states and with parties represented in Bundestag, which is resolved every four years.