this certainly is a relaunched, more robust angelo merkle we are seeing. the question is will it last. >> how serious are the difficulties the governing coalition is facing at the moment? >> they have a number of problems. chief among them perhaps is the decision to extend the life of germany's nuclear power plants. it is a very unpopular decision was criticized by opposition parties today, saying that the government had simply keeled over to pressure from the energy companies. indeed, putting through their whole program of spending cuts, which the opposition criticizes as targeting the worst off in society while letting the banks go free -- these are arguments that have to make. the coalition is also riven by internal discord. the chancellor has to keep troops in line. it is going to be a tough few months ahead. >> merkle seems to be drawing fire from all sides. any sign she will not survive this political firefight? >> i do not see an immediate challenge to her as chancellor, but there has been public debate in recent weeks about the soul of the party, w