Angela Merkel

Sunday’s election results were a dream come true for Germany’s conservatives. For the first time in almost twenty years, the Sozialdemokratische Partei (SPD) will not be part of the ruling coalition. Angela Merkel’s Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (CDU)/ Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern (CSU) is holding talks with Guido Westerwelle’s Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP) with a view to quickly form a new coalition.

Following the reappointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission President this week, speculation continues as to who will be appointed to the new college, with particular attention being placed on the much favoured Vice President role with joint responsibility for foreign affairs within the Council.