The German leader is aiming to become the first chancellor to leave of her own accord since 1949, and is interested in a new role as United Nations Secretary-General, or President of the European Council, Spiegel magazine reported.

 

Such a move would come as a major shock in Germany, where Mrs Merkel remains² exceptionally popular with voters after almost nine years in power, and be felt across Europe, where her position as the continent's most powerful leader is undisputed.

 

In last year's elections, Mrs Merkel pledged she would serve a full term in office, and her spokesman and party colleagues have denied all speculation³ she may leave office early.

 

But Spiegel, which is usually well informed about German politics, claims it is well known among her colleagues that she does not want a fourth term, and is considering quitting ahead of the 2017 elections.

 

"Just about everyone around her, in her party or the cabinet, is convinced she will voluntarily leave office," the magazine said, in a special report ahead of Mrs Merkel's 60th birthday this week.

 

She is said to be keen to avoid following in the footsteps of former chancellors⁴ Helmut Kohl, who was once as unassailable as she is now but suffered a humiliating defeat when he tried to fight an election too many in 1998, and Konrad Adenauer, who was forced out in 1963 by a coup⁵ within his own party.

 

An arch-pragmatist, Mrs Merkel has no major policy or pet project to see through that would keep her in office. Mr Kohl was keen to see through the introduction of the euro.

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