German lawmakers elect Merkel to fourth term as chancellor

German lawmakers voted on Wednesday to re-elect Angela Merkel as chancellor for a fourth, and likely final, term that may prove her most challenging yet as she leads a fragile coalition with her standing diminished.

Lawmakers voted by 364 to 315, with nine abstentions, in favour of re-electing Merkel, 63. 

"I accept the vote," Merkel told the Bundestag lower house of parliament after the vote.