Now that Germany's Constitutional Court has cleared the way for elections on September 18, the country faces the most important political choice since 1969, when it elected Willy Brandt as chancellor. That year, Germany voted for a platform of social democracy to which its economic policies adhered for 36 years, irrespective of which party happened to be in power. This time, as in 1969, the country has a choice between genuine alternatives.

Angela Merkel, chairman of the Christian Democrats (CDU), offers the prospect of far-reaching economic reforms - but only if she gets into power in a coalition with the liberal FDP. Otherwise, she may still end up as Germany's next chancellor, but as the leader of a coalition in which her room for manoeuvre would be more constrained.