Having governed Germany for 16 years, Mr. Kohl knows his people well, and they know him.

She has never laid out a detailed alternative program to that of the leftist coalition that, under Mr. Schröder, has governed Germany since 1998.

And he governs Germany like he governed Lower Saxony, where everything has deteriorated.

Philip was to succeed Ferdinand, but during the former's reign Maximilian, as king of the Romans, was to govern Germany.

Helmut Kohl, 68, who has governed Germany for 16 years, immediately rose from his chair and shook Mr. Schroder's hand.

It was these groups which on November 10 elected a Council of People's Representatives, with Ebert at its head, to govern Germany for the time being.

Much will depend on the character of the new leaders, and that is where the nature of the new generation governing Germany comes into play.

All three leaders were trying to establish an agenda for governing post-war Germany.

Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his coalition partners announced today that they had chosen a 20-member Cabinet to govern Germany for the next four years.