Muzzled : Merkel Opponent Put on Short Leash

[sysop]

Peer Steinbrück, the SPD candidate running against Chancellor Angela Merkel in a September general election, is still seen as a risk to the party's prospects despite a recent boost from Lower Saxony. Damaged by a string of gaffes, he will be kept on a tighter rein and only have a limited say in campaign strategy.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-880017.html