German coalition talks fail: EU cannot afford to lose Merkel

At a moment when the liberal values that have done so much to advance Western societies over the last 75 years are threatened on so many fronts the difficulties facing chancellor Angela Merkel have implications far beyond German or European borders.

Ms Merkel faces the prospect of forming a minority government — or fresh elections — after coalition talks failed at the weekend.

Germany, like so many democracies, must deal with political fragmentation.