Monday Mayhem: Merkel Wins, Mall Madness, Church Massacre

As expected, Angela Merkel was re-elected with a resounding (for Germany) 41% of the vote – allowing her the choice of any party she wishes to work with (as long as they have 9% or more) to form the new coalition Government.

It's Angie's way or the highway in Germany as the 59 year-old former East German Physicist led her CDU Party to a 311-seat victory in Parliament, just 5 seats short of a manority there and miles ahead of the second-place SDP, with 192 seats.  

The CDU's strong support also was an endorsement of Ms. Merkel's handling of the euro zone's debt crisis since 2009. Although her emphasis on fiscal discipline and market-friendly overhauls has divided Europeans, it has won widespread backing from Germans across the political spectrum.  Hopes around Europe that Berlin might pursue a more generous approach to the euro zone's financial and economic crisis—even in the event of a grand coalition—are likely to be disappointed.   

"They were questioning people, and they said, 'If you are Muslim you are on the safer side, but if you are Hindu or Christian you will be killed,' " said a person who was working inside the mall.  175 people are reported injured so far and 1,000 have been safely evacuated but attackers still hold the building.