Angela Merkel has a new nickname. As Guido Westerwelle, head of the opposition Free Democratic party, recently revealed, the German chancellor is being referred to as Mutti – or mother – in Berlin these days.

“There are worse names to be called,” Ms Merkel told the weekly Bild-am-Sonntag on Sunday. “Whatever you call it, I think [the people] want a government head who acts both decisively and sensibly.”