Merkel will win – because my fellow Germans dare not speak of national self interest

When Germany goes to the polls this weekend the question is not ‘Who will win?’ but ‘With whom will Chancellor Merkel govern?’ There may be another CDU-FDP coalition; there may be another Grand Coalition with the Social Democrats. But there is no doubt who will emerge triumphant. All this may baffle Brits: Angela Merkel has spent years sending German taxpayers’ money to bail out various spendthrift European countries and has seemed more concerned about being a good European than a good German. And she’ll be rewarded with another four years in power, reaffirming her role as the most formidable political leader in Europe.

How has she managed it? A large part is due to her management of the euro crisis where she has presented herself as a tough negotiator who apparently insists on strict assurances of tighter budgetary discipline in return for any German money. In fact, the money is as good as gone — but Merkel has profited from the extraordinary political imbecility of her opponents.