Fear of Contagion: Merkel Steps Back from Coalition Partner FDP

[sysop]

Following her party's failure in a major state election, Chancellor Angela Merkel is distancing herself from her junior coalition partner, the business-friendly Free Democrats. It is a risky move, and could indicate that she is aiming at a partnership with the opposition Social Democrats. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i>

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...-a-880811.html