"Merkel or Merkel - is that Germany's only choice?" the nation's main Sunday talk show asked, as opinion surveys showed Merkel's conservatives widening their lead over the rival Social Democrats. Even after 12 years of "Mutti" (mummy) Merkel, the nation is in "no mood for change", the conservative daily Die Welt wrote in an editorial. True to form, Merkel has refused to engage and even studiously avoids mentioning her rival by name in media appearances. "If the SPD is not interested in another grand coalition, it should prepare itself to be in the opposition."

Source: The Local August 24, 2017 07:30 UTC