Merkel suffers blow in regional election

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, suffered a blow on 4 September 2011 as the CDU and FDP made big losses in a regional vote in the Baltic Sea state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The result was seen is a personal and political blow to the Chancellor, who tried to rally support for her Christian Democrats in her home state by differentiating her policies in the eurozone debt crisis from that of the Social Democrats. It is also her fourth straight regional election loss in 2011.

Deutsche Welle, 4.9.11: Merkel's conservatives lose out in regional elections http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15364240,00.html

EUObserver, 5.9.11: Merkel in election setback amid discontent on euro-crisis http://euobserver.com/843/113517

EurActiv, 5.9.11: Merkel suffers regional poll defeat, far right wins seats http://www.euractiv.com/elections/merkel-suffers-regional-poll-def-news-507268

Spiegel Online International, 5.9.11: Merkel's CDU Suffers Setback in State Election http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,784333,00.html

The Local.de, 4.9.11: SPD wins Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania vote http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20110904-37381.html

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