Vote blow for Merkel

Green Party supporters are celebrating in Germany after hearing they are on-track to get their first ever state premiership. The Greens are almost certain to form a coalition government with the Social Democrats after winning the election in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

It is a major blow for Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose Christian Democrats have controlled the state – Germany’s most prosperous – since 1953.

The Christian Democrats and their Free Democrat coalition partners are big backers of atomic energy. Merkel has been criticised for wavering over her nuclear policy – deciding to extend it six months ago but then suspend it in the wake of the disaster in Japan. Many saw her U-turn as a cynical tactic.

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