Word: merkel
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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With polls predicting that German parliamentary elections on Sept. 27 could propel the Free Democrats into government as a coalition partner with Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, Westerwelle now looks within reach of a job at least as serious as his demeanor. Such an outcome would represent a substantial shift in German politics. Governing with the Social Democrats since 2005, Chancellor Merkel, though firmly on the center-right in most questions, has often tacked to the left to preserve her coalition. She has said that she would prefer to govern with the FDP, but that would recast the Social Democrats...
...just play-acting relaxed," says a senior Social Democrat. An awkward performer in an age of remorseless media, Westerwelle's fierce ambition for himself and his party is permanently in conflict with his natural reticence. He quietly confirmed his homosexuality five years ago by turning up at Merkel's 50th birthday with his partner. He is not drawn to identity politics, he later told an interviewer, citing a cartoon strip that depicts a gay couple in a café as best capturing his attitude. "First of all, we're gay, and secondly we want two ice cream sundaes," the pair...
...were injured when a car packed with explosives exploded next to a passing convoy three miles outside of Kunduz. Indeed, Berlin's continued role in Afghanistan has become the crux of a heated public debate back in Germany. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the foreign minister bidding to oust chancellor Angela Merkel, has openly called for a timetable for German withdrawal. The chancellor says it's too soon, and she is backed by a defense minister and party ally who expects troops to remain for another five to 10 years. But polls show two-thirds of Germans want them to come home...
...Germany's political landscape grows less divided along old Cold War lines, the power of the smaller parties is increasing, and that, the left-leaning daily Tageszeitung noted on Monday, could make it impossible for Merkel's CDU and FDP to gain a majority in September. "The only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain," the paper wrote. "Now it is clear that we have a five-party system, which in the end could result in a return of the Grand Coalition [between...
...could be that the only way for Merkel to avoid a repeat of the Grand Coalition is to enter a three-way coalition with the FDP and the Greens. But "the federal parties are not yet ready to go down that road," says Alemann. In the end, they may not have a choice...