Embattled German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised “an autumn of decisions” yesterday as she sought to inject life into her bumpy second term at the helm of Europe’s top economy.

Dubbed the “world’s most powerful woman”, the 56-year-old Ms Merkel has endured a torrid year since winning re-election, with her poll ratings slipping as her coalition government squabbles over policies ranging from nuclear power to tax.

But she came out fighting in an interview with the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, saying: “We were elected to act. And we are doing that in this autumn of decisions.” In recent weeks, Ms Merkel has extended the life of Germany’s nuclear power plants, launched reform of the country’s controversial unemployment benefits and health system as well as preparing the ground for scrapping conscription.

However, the nuclear power decision in particular has proved divisive, with tens of thousands flooding Berlin’s streets in protest this month.

“Whoever tackles so many important things as we have should not be surprised if there is controversy and opposition,” added Ms Merkel.

Meanwhile, a new poll offered some crumbs of comfort to the Chancellor, as her conservative Christian Union gained one percentage point to 30 per cent.

Her coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats remained mired at five per cent, however, with the opposition Social Democrats at 25 per cent and the Greens at 23 per cent.

The survey, conducted by Forsa, polled 2,500 German voters between September 20 and 24.