German government Angela Merkel landed a first punch on Monday on her new Social Democratic rival in next year’s election. The German chancellor described the manner in which the SPD had nominated Frank-Walter Steinmeier, her cabinet colleague, “unworthy of a major party”.
Her words followed a tumultuous meeting of SPD grandees on Sunday in which their nomination of Mr Steinmeier was almost eclipsed by the resignation of Kurt Beck, the party leader. The beleaguered politician accused colleagues of plotting against him.
