MERKEL THE MOVING FORCE

ANGELA Merkel has been German chancellor for the last two terms in the Bundestag, the German federal parliament, and is hotly tipped to win a third term though changing partners in a new coalition.

While the expected grand coalition with the Socialists would undoubtedly mean a change in some policy areas for her government, it could help soften the emphasis on austerity at EU level.

But real movement towards a safe and secure common currency will need to move power away from the Bundestag which must vote on an ever-increasing number of issues, including any credit line the EU’s bailout fund will approve for Ireland.