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Angela Merkel told top members of her party on Sunday that she wants to run for a fourth term as German chancellor in next year's election, senior party sources told Reuters, after months of speculation about one of the world's most powerful women.
Despite a voter backlash over her open-door migrant policy, the conservative is seen as a stabilizing force in Europe amid uncertainty caused by Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of Donald Trump as the next U.S. president.
Merkel told leading figures in her Christian Democrat (CDU) party about her intentions at a meeting to prepare for the September election, several participants said.
Colleagues welcomed the long-awaited decision, which she is expected to announce at a news conference at 1800 GMT.
"Angela Merkel stands for stability, reliability and thoughtfulness," said senior CDU politician Julia Kloeckner.
"With her straightforward and calm nature she had led us safely through the financial and economic crises," she told the Rheinische Post newspaper.