Outfoxed by the Opposition - Defeat in Presidential Battle Leaves Merkel Isolated

Could be the starting point of a traffic-light coalition, led by Social Democrats, if red-green weren't able to come up with a majority in fall 2013 when national elections are due.

The F.D.P. may get its miracle of political survival by this Roesler coup against Merkel.

(Spiegel)

(...) Joining Forces against Merkel

That's why this weekend marked a turning point in German politics. Not only did it produce a cross-party presidential candidate who is sure to be Germany's next president, it has also shaken up Germany's political structures. In the ad hoc alliance between the SPD, Greens and the FDP, three parties have come together to oppose the chancellor. Two of them have already had painful experiences as Merkel's coalition partners -- the SPD during the 2005-2009 grand coalition, and the FDP, which has seen its fortunes wane as Merkel's current, often ignored, junior coalition partner. The third party, the Greens, wants to avoid this painful fate. Now the three parties, which could conceivably join forces to form a coalition government after the 2013 election, have gone their own way.

The trio has outfoxed the arch-strategist Merkel. The chancellor and CDU leader has become more isolated since the weekend -- and weaker.