Germany's ruling alliance teeters on the brink as Angela Merkel loses control

[CHIMO]

In the Tante Käthe outdoor pub in Berlin, at a spot where the Berlin Wall once ran, a large gathering of optimistic Germans sat drinking beer ahead of the World Cup match between Germany and Serbia.

"I'd like to think the government might take a look at the national team to see the right way to do things," said Bert Schultz. "Just look at it right now: it's a gaggle of bickering, sluggish, fearful incompetents who seem determined to work against each other rather than together."

Following Germany's disappointing defeat today, Schultz may want to think again. But he was not the first to have made such a comparison this week, as Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition government teetered on the brink of collapse.

An editorial in the Spiegel even went so far as to suggest that national team coach Jogi Löw might make a better chancellor, because he "probably can pull a faster punch than Merkel when it comes to calling the coalition to reason".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/18/germany-ruling-alliance-angela-merkel

[tabasco]

1. Good.

CDU=pukes.

[tango-tee]

2. Approval for FDP went from 16% to barely 5%.

Die Linken are doing well though, they're at 11% now. Woo-hoo!!!