Setback for Merkel in regional elections / Hesse offers pointer to national poll’s outcome

The party of Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, suffered a setback on 27 January 2008 after Roland Koch, the Christian Democratic state premier of Hesse, saw his vote plummet following a closely watched regional election.

Deutsche Welle, 28.1.08: Lessons Learned, Hesse Leaders Scramble to Form Government http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3092951,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 5.4.08: Controversial Premier of Hesse to Continue in Office http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3246829,00.html

BBC News, 27.1.08: German elections blow for Merkel http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7211589.stm

Deutsche Welle, 28.1.08: German Conservatives Suffer Loses in Key State Election http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3091972,00.html

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