Wolfgang Bauer: Three observations on the German elections

Merkel goes fourth First things first - as expected Angela Merkel has won the election. Her CDU party, in combination with its Bavarian sister party CSU, is going to remain the largest faction in parliament, with 33% of votes combined. All roads lead to a fourth term for her as chancellor. This did not come as a surprise, of course - particularly considering the strength of the German economy. The unemployment rate has halved since Merkel first took office in November 2005 and GDP growth is above 2%. Merkel wins fourth term but Germany now 'less predictable' This is not the main ...