BERLIN: Angela Merkel has not only survived one of the most turbulent weeks for German politics in recent memory — she may now be in a stronger position to build and lead the new government Germany so desperately needs.

Doubts about a ‘grand coalition’ of her conservatives and their Social Democrat (SPD) rivals mounted over the past week after the abrupt resignation of SPD chief Franz Muentefering and withdrawal of Bavarian premier Edmund Stoiber from her cabinet.

But as the two camps head into a crucial final week of negotiations, Merkel’s steady handling of the turmoil has earned her newfound respect and the upheaval looks to have gifted her a more favourable line-up of politicians with which to work.

The recent chaos has also increased the pressure on both sides to show results. They now appear to be nearing consensus on key issues — including a consumption tax hike — that divided them during a bitter election campaign.

“The most important cards have been pulled from the house of cards that is the grand coalition — yet it is still standing,” German daily Die Welt wrote in a front-page editorial on Friday.

“The personnel has changed, but the talks are producing serious results and are on schedule. Angela Merkel is stronger than before — steady in the storm.”

Germany has been limping along without political leadership since a September 18 election gave none of its top parties enough votes to rule with their preferred partners.

The uncertainty has weighed on sentiment in a country that can ill afford it — the number of Germans out of work is near a post-war high and the economy is now among the weakest in the 25-nation European Union.—Reuters