Gradualism will continue to mark the German approach to government and a moderate international policy.

The hope is that the coalition is now able to push through the long-promised reforms that are necessary to revitalise the nation’s economy.

Paul V. Rafferty

Reuters Photo by Arno Weigmann

Gerhard Schroeder,Joschka Fischer and Wolfgang Clement, FederaL State Prime Minister for North-Rhine Westphalia, at today's coalition formation meeting in Berlin.