Angela Merkel sees Germany split over pace of social change

Addressing the increasingly tense debate in Germany that's seen some political opponents describe her as a "traitor,'' Chancellor Angela Merkel urged her countrymen to focus more on what they have in common, and to "respect each other more again.''

By: AP | Berlin | Published: December 31, 2017 7:48 am

Merkel sees Germany split over pace of social change

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Germans have rarely been so divided about the changes taking place in their society, the country’s long-time leader Angela Merkel said Sunday, adding in her New Year’s address that she is committed to helping tackle the challenges of the future by swiftly forming a new government.

Germany has been in political limbo since elections in September, which saw heavy losses for the centrist `grand coalition’ that’s run the country since 2013. Merkel’s attempt to forge a new government with two smaller parties failed, forcing her to reach out to her erstwhile partners, the Social Democrats, again.