Rösler to Become Economy Minister. Struggling FDP Pins Hopes on Reshuffle

The Free Democratic Party (FDP), the junior partner in Germany's ruling coalition, was hoping to put its recent woes behind it with a big reshuffle in May 2011. Incoming party leader Philipp Rösler looked set to take over as economy minister from Rainer Brüderle. But would it be enough to satisfy embattled Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Philipp Rösler was elected leader of FDP on the 14 May 2011 and would remain as Vice-Chancellor in Germany.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Westerwelle to quit as FDP party leader http://www.europeansources.info/record/westerwelle-to-quit-as-fdp-party-leader/

Deutsche Welle, 10.5.11: Leader-in-waiting reshuffles top jobs for ailing Free Democrats http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15063772,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 16.5.11: Coalition partner vows turnaround with new leadership http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15076688,00.html

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