German capital Berlin to get first female mayor

Berlin's Social Democratic Party (SPD) top candidate Franziska Giffey reacts after first exit polls for the Berlin state elections in Berlin, Germany, September 26, 2021. REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler

BERLIN (Reuters) - The Social Democrats (SPD) won the regional election to lead the state government in Berlin, according to provisional results on Monday, meaning that their candidate Franziska Giffey will become the first female mayor of the German capital.

Giffey, 43, who was previously family minister in Chancellor Angela Merkel's national government, will take over from the SPD's Michael Mueller as mayor after he decided not to run again.