Letter from Berlin: Trust me - a simple message delivered spectacular result

Chancellor Merkel has cemented her position as the Continent’s undisputed leader for the next four years, making her one of the few European heads of state not to become a casualty of the unending financial crisis.

Newspapers in Germany were under no illusion that this victory was hers alone. “Merkel’s triumph — and the downfall of the FDP,” was the front page of the best-selling Bild, referring to the crushing of her current coalition partner. In a commentary inside, it said: “Not taxes, justice or the euro decided this election but the question: who do the citizens trust to have sound nerves and good reason?”

“A spectacular victory,” was the verdict of Spiegel magazine, declaring Germany “Angela Merkel’s republic”. It added: “This election is a turning point. The Chancellor has triumphed, the FDP has been shattered. Finally, Germany is Angela Merkel’s land.”

Celebrations at her CDU HQ in Berlin, and regional offices across the country, went on all night. But huge though her percentage of the vote was, it was not quite enough to give her an absolute majority to rule and it is expected she will form a coalition with the centre-left SPD party.

According to media reports, SPD leader Peer Steinbrueck was already resigned to being the junior partner in a coalition of unequals before voting started. Fundamentally, not much will change about Germany’s day to day business. Mrs Merkel will have to keep a weather eye out for the mood of voters over the euro after the party opposed to it —Alternative For Germany — almost scored as many votes as her former partners in power, the FDP.

But the only real winner is Mrs Merkel. Her message to voters was: “Trust me.” And they did.

She went into the race more popular than ever. Under her leadership the country has avoided the worst of the recession, enjoyed economic success, low unemployment and a renewed role as the leader of the Continent as it thrashed around in the euro crisis.

Rarely has an election been won on such a simple message. But she won it in spectacular style. EU business was effectively on hold until the results were in. Now we can expect to see an even more confident and influential Germany upon the European — and world — stage.