Weakened Merkel to step down as chancellor in 2021

Angela Merkel on Monday announced she will quit as German chancellor when her mandate ends in 2021, as she sought to curtail a series of political crises that have rocked her fragile coalition.Often described as the world's most powerful woman and Europe's de facto leader, Merkel said she hoped her planned departure would end fighting within her coalition and allow it to focus on governing."Today, it is time to begin a new chapter," she told reporters at her party headquarters.