Conservative Angela Merkel took power Tuesday as Germany's first female chancellor and its first leader to grow up behind the Iron Curtain, saying the public was eager for the government to get to work after six months of political turmoil.

But the 51-year-old former scientist will have a tough job turning around Europe's biggest economy after years of stagnation. In a potential sign of trouble ahead, more than 50 members of Merkel's unwieldy 448-lawmaker coalition voted against her Tuesday. Still, the strength of her party's alliance with the left-wing Social Democrats allowed her to win easily in the lower house, or Bundestag.

"Expectations are very high among people in this country that problems get solved, policies made and decisions taken," Merkel said as she ceremonially took over the imposing chancellery across from the Reichstag parliament building.

In an interview for ARD public television, she said the "no" votes did not bother her.

"My thoughts go back, eight weeks back, and I can only say, it's an excellent outcome and a very solid foundation so that this government can succesfully do its work," she said.

Merkel succeeds Gerhard Schroeder, whose government of Social Democrats and Greens was ousted by voters Sept. 18. Merkel's more pro-American outlook contrasts with Schroeder's criticism of the war in Iraq.

Merkel, typically reserved in public, smiled after the 397-202 vote was announced. Schroeder, who for three weeks clung to his demand to remain chancellor after his party finished a close second in the election, was the first to walk over and congratulate her.

Later, at her inauguration, she turned to Schroeder and said: "I would like to thank you for what you have done for our country," citing his efforts to trim the welfare state and boost the economy, and declaring that her government would build on the "milestones" he set.

The Protestant minister's daughter, who grew up in officially atheist East Germany, added the optional words, "So help me God," to her oath, a phrase Schroeder had left out.

Indeed, Merkel could use some help in coaxing action from a joyless coalition. The election results showed little popular support for tough action many economists and business groups say is needed to attack 11 percent unemployment and sluggish growth.

She also faces foreign policy challenges such as nursing a recovering relationship with the United States.