There was widespread relief in Berlin on Wednesday at the victory of Barack Obama, the candidate an overwhelming majority of Germans would have picked, had they had a vote. Yet several commentators struck a note of caution, pointing out that he had taken the helm of a weakened country.

Angela Merkel, chancellor, congratulated the president-elect on his “historical election victory” and invited him to return to Berlin, where he held the only foreign rally of his campaign in July. “I am convinced that we will decisively tackle the new risks and dangers in close and trustful co-operation,” she said.