The shift gives Merkel a potential path out of a crisis that has been called the worst of her 12-year tenure. Since the September vote, the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) have insisted they will go into opposition rather than form another “grand coalition” with the CDU. This left Merkel without negotiating partners as she seeks to extend her leadership of Germany to a fourth term. It has stirred speculation over how long Merkel can hang on to the chancellorship and whether a new vote might give even more impetus to the far-right Alternative for Germany party. It also has spawned anxiety across Europe, where other governments are looking to Germany for leadership on the continent’s biggest challenges.

Source: Washington Post November 24, 2017 11:12 UTC