Merkel’s grip on power risks coming unstuck

GERMANY’S Angela Merkel faces the biggest challenge to her leadership since coming to power in 2005, with traditionally loyal conservative allies openly criticising her approach to the eurozone crisis and her hands-off Libya policy in shambles.

Seen for much of the past six years as a reliable leader, whose knack for brokering deals made up for a lack of bold vision, Merkel’s image has taken a beating recently and polls show an increasing number of Germans view her government as directionless.

Merkel’s troubles can be traced back to two March decisions, when she dropped her support for nuclear power after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, then backed Germany’s abstention from a UN vote on military action in Libya.