Describing the German leader as "one of Europe's brightest-shining stars", Reinfeldt expressed relief that the CDU had now parted ways with the SPD, calling the grand coalition that had governed Germany since 2005 a "marriage of convenience". "The German people have dissolved a marriage of convenience and Angela Merkel can return to her plans from 2005 to form a non-socialist government with the liberals" Reinfeldt said. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said that Merkel's victory represented "success not only for Germany but for the entire family" of European centre-right parties. Full Article at New Kerala