Merkel faces election loss

A bad European week for Chancellor Angela Merkel looks likely to end with more electoral woes — this time, the likely re-election of a center-left government in Germany’s most populous state, which Merkel has sought to portray as irresponsibly addicted to debt.

But despite the prospect of an embarrassing loss for her conservatives, Merkel still looks unlikely to join French ally Nicolas Sarkozy any time soon in the parade of European leaders booted out by voters weary of Berlin-backed austerity. Merkel’s stance is widely shared by German voters nationally.

Merkel’s national center-right coalition has become notorious for infighting over issues ranging from tax cuts to planned benefits for stay-at-home parents since it took power in late 2009. It has performed badly in several state elections over the past year.

Read more: Washington Post

Posted in: Elections, German Chancellor, Germany, Mekrel, News