Is Merkel fatigue setting in? Is Angela Merkel done for? Is she about to hand over the reins of power to someone else? Is it true that she created a mess over immigration? Is it also true that half of German voters wanted her to resign?

After the federal elections held in Germany last September, Angela Merkel, as leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party, unfortunately, saw a public that had lost patience with her political leadership. Since that fateful day in September, Merkel has been somewhat grounded, but after months-long effort to secure a strong coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats headed by Martin Schulz, it was confirmed yesterday that the talks with Ms Merkel should continue to avoid going to the polls again.

If an agreement is reached and Ms Merkel manages to form a strong coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats, she should be able to use this grand coalition to enact major reforms, to get big projects done and, most important, to solve the refugee crisis that drove the German public crazy.

In truth, Merkel has grown accustomed to writing the EU's agenda, but not anymore, it seems, as Mr Macron of France has the stage completely to himself. Britain's Theresa May has time for nothing else except for BREXIT and Jeremy Corbyn. Italy faces a messy election soon and the hyperactive Sarkozy was followed by the best-do-nothing Francois Hollande. In the meantime, Joseph Muscat is sitting quietly in his office accompanied by his chief of staff, studying the political scene developing around him.

Ms Merkel is one of the world's most charismatic and admired leaders in the world and an inspiration for a new generation of rising women politicians. She deserves another four-year term in office.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara