German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she will run for a fourth term in office.
Merkel, 62, made the announcement in a November 20 news conference where she confirmed earlier reports that she intends to run in general elections expected in autumn next year.
"I want to serve Germany...in these difficult and uncertain times," Merkel told reporters.
Her poll ratings have slipped since the height of her popularity, but she still enjoys high approval ratings.
Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has slumped in regional elections in the last year and support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has swelled, as Merkel's open-door policy toward migrants angered many German voters.
Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany, has run the united country since 2005.
