'Merkel to be replaced WITHIN A WEEK': Shock alliance could see German leader booted out

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel could leave office within a week as her political opponents round on her.

German protesters: Angela Merkel MUST go

The leader of the left-wing party Linkspartei has demanded Mrs Merkel steps down and is replaced by the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Sigmar Gabriel.

Three parties are now plotting to overthrow Merkel - with Linkspartei joining forces with the Green Party as well as the SDP.

Linkspartei leader Dietmar Bartsch said Mr Gabriel "could be Chancellor next week if he and the SPD wanted it".

Angela Merkel and Sigmar GabrielGETTY

Angela Merkel could be replaced by Sigmar Gabriel

Mr Bartsch has said if the three parties can agree a working manifesto before electing a new chancellor Mrs Merkel could be gone within a week.

A recent meeting of 90 MPs from the three parties opposed to the German leader saw members discuss contentious issues such as the army's foreign operations and social reforms.

Between them the three parties have enough of a majority in the German parliament to push through a vote of no-confidence and elect a new chancellor but they would have to seize the moment as recent polling suggests their popularity is waning.

Dietmar Bartsch left wing leader in GermanyGETTY

Dietmar Bartsch is rounding up Merkel's political enemies

The BundestagGETTY

The coalition of parties holds a majority in the Bundestag

Mrs Merkel's premiership has proved controversial among the German population, with many angry at the bailouts the economic powerhouse has funded for struggling EU nations.

Fury has also grown as Germany has opened its doors to 900,000 migrants last year, 40 per cent of which were from Syria, with Germany suffering two ISIS terror attacks including an axe rampage on a train in Würzburg that saw five people injured and a suicide bombing in Ansbach in which 15 people were hurt.

Sigmar Gabriel and Angela MerkelGETTY

Sigmar Gabriel and Angela Merkel who he could replace

And anger erupted in a migrant-hit German town after news emerged more than £750,000 is being ploughed into building two Islamic mosques.

German political parties including the SPD, CDU, Greens and FDP voted against the controversial plans, but objections were outvoted by the Peto Party, who has a 65 per cent majority of the votes.

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