REUTERS

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seen with SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel (left) and Joachim Gauck at the Chancellery on Sunday.

In accepting the opposition’s candidate for the next German president, Angela Merkel has suffered the bitterest defeat of her chancellorship. Her junior coalition partner, the FDP, teamed up with the two main opposition parties to push through their choice. The ignominious defeat could mark a turning point for the German chancellor.

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