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09/28/2009

In Great Britain, news of Germany's election was overshadowed by the annual Labour Party conference. The entire political establishment had its eyes turned toward Brighton, where Prime Minister Gordon Brown was fighting for his survival. Neither Downing Street nor the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office wasted much time thinking of congratulating Germany's chancellor of her victory. On Sunday evening, Brown dispatched a quick note that stretched almost two lines long. A spokeswoman for the British leader said that, in his note, Brown said that he "looks forward to continuing their close working relationship." Brown and Merkel are not particularly tight. Indeed, during the financial crisis, the two leaders have often represented opposite poles in EU debates.

In Monday's papers, British media commentators had different reactions to the vote. The conservative daily the Times of London saw Merkel as being " unleashed" to finally "carry out the reforms Germany needs." Cooler heads were to be found at the Financial Times and the Guardian. FT columnist Quentin Peel noted that the expected coalition between Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) would still only have a single-digit majority, which makes it unlikely that they will initiate radical policy changes. The Guardian said that Merkel's performance over the last four years shows that she is " Germany's better social democrat" and that the risk-averse Germans had elected her because they are content with what they have. "Despite her huge personal popularity, she led her center-right Christian Democratic Union to its second poorest result," the paper added. "It leaves her vulnerable to backstabbing within her party."

In his blog, Gavin Hewitt, the BBC's Europe editor, wrote that Merkel's coalition with the FDP will now give her "the opportunity to reveal where her true instincts lie." At the same time, he noted that "her record in power suggests she will be pragmatic."

In terms of foreign policy, the British expect continuity, which for the last few years has meant friction with the United States and Great Britain. As the Guardian wrote, whether it concerns Afghanistan, Turks in Europe or sanctions against Iran, Merkel has a different take on things than either Washington or London. Conflict between Germany and Great Britain will most likely increase, especially if David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative Party and EU skeptic, takes over as prime minister early next year, as expected.

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• Part 1: How the World Views Germany's New Government
• Part 2: Great Britain - Less than Two Lines from Gordon Brown
• Part 3: France - A Handwritten Note from 'Your Friend' Nicolas Sarkozy
• Part 4: Russia - Eyeing the FDP Wildcard
• Part 5: Turkey - Rocky Road to EU Admission Is Seen
• Part 6: Brussels: NATO and EU Expect Continuity