Angela Merkel, Germany's new chancellor, is not a great orator, nor a very charismatic figure in the media spotlight. Yet she emerged from her maiden summit of the European Union yesterday as a critical player in the bruising negotiations over a new budget deal, putting Germany back at the heart of EU decision-making, writes Quentin Peelin Brussels.

Plain-speaking Ms Merkel came to the summit as a broker, determined to defuse the hostility of Britain and France over farm spending and the UK rebate. She declared her interest in engaging the small member states - especially the poorer new members from eastern Europe - and preventing a confrontation between rich and poor over budget contributions.