Merkel comes off second best in German TV debate

German media praised Social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier yesterday for his performance against Chancellor Angela Merkel in a TV debate, but said the pair looked like they would be happy to share power again.

Mr Steinmeier, whose SPD trails Ms Merkel's conservatives by double digits in polls two weeks before an election, appeared relaxed and confident as he attacked Ms Merkel on tax and nuclear policy in the US-style clash on Sunday evening.

Ms Merkel appeared edgy at the start and had several testy exchanges with the TV moderators who pressed her to be more confrontational, reminding her the debate was supposed to be a "duel" not a "duet".

Ms Merkel wants to end her awkward "grand coalition" with the SPD and form a centre-right government with the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP) after the September 27 vote - an outcome which could be jeopardised if Mr Steinmeier can eat into her poll lead.

"Steinmeier scores points against Merkel," ran a headline in the Handelsblatt business daily.

Top-selling conservative tabloid Bild deemed Mr Steinmeier the winner, but said the restrained nature of the clash suggested both candidates would be happy to work together again after the election.

"This discussion was a signal: Neither Merkel nor Steinmeier would be against continuing the grand coalition," wrote Bild columnist Hugo Mueller-Vogg.

Snap polls released after the debate showed viewers were divided on who had won the confrontation, which was watched by 14.2 million viewers, down from close to 21 million in 2005 when Ms Merkel debated then-Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder. Mr Steinmeier has served as foreign minister in Ms Merkel's awkward right-left coalition for the past four years, and the rivals have mostly shied away from aggressive attacks during the campaign.

One of the debate moderators said they seemed like a "harmonious old couple", although the SPD candidate showed an aggressive side that has not always been on display on the campaign trail.

"Steinmeier did better than expected. He was more self-confident, punchier than usual, relaxed and spoke in clearer terms," said Peter Loesche, political scientist emeritus at Goettingen University.

"I don't think this will have a big influence on undecided voters, and if it does mobilise any voters, then it will mobilise them to vote for the SPD - but that also points towards another grand coalition."

Ms Merkel had a similar lead in the polls in 2005 but lost the debate to Mr Schroeder weeks before the vote and ended up beating the SPD by only one percentage point - a result which forced the rival parties into government together.

Berlin's "grand coalition" has worked well during the financial crisis, but analysts fear that if the SPD and conservatives team up again they would form a less stable government that would be more prone to infighting.