‘Birthday bash’ gives Merkel poll headache

Article reports that claims that Angela Merkel hosted a lavish private birthday party at taxpayer expense in 2008 for Deutsche Bank’s Josef Ackermann have emerged as the first serious challenge for the German chancellor as she sought a second term in the September 2009 general election in Germany.

EurActiv, 27.8.09: Merkel embroiled in row over banker's birthday party http://www.euractiv.com/elections/merkel-embroiled-row-bankers-bir-news-222442

ESO: Background information: Germany: Parliamentary Election, 27 September 2009 (Federal Election) http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-parliamentary-election-27-september-2009-federal-election/

Deutsche Welle, 25.8.09: Deutsche Bank boss throws party, Merkel foots the bill http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4596587,00.html

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