Angela Merkel is sworn as Germany's eighth post-World War II leader and its first female chancellor, taking an oath of office that commits her to "dedicate my strength to the welfare of the German people."

The inauguration ceremony in parliament formally seals the conservative Merkel's assumption of power after lawmakers elected her as chancellor. Unlike center-left predecessor Gerhard Schroeder, Merkel -- the leader of the Christian Democratic Union -- completed the oath with the optional ending, "So help me God."

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