I will announce decision on fourth term at right time, says Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday she would announce at the appropriate moment whether she will run for a fourth term next year, adding "that is not today."

She was speaking during a news conference in Berlin with U S President Barack Obama who said he might vote for Merkel if he was German.

"Merkel has been an outstanding partner," Obama said.

Many in Germany expect Merkel to run in a general election next year in which her conservatives are expected to remain the largest bloc in parliament.