Angela Merkel's influence now extends to German slang

"Merkeln', which means being indecisive or failing to have an opinion, is topping a poll to choose Germany's favourite new 'youth words'

It is, perhaps, a measure of just how powerful she has become: Angela Merkel now appears to be influencing youth slang.

The compilers of Germany's most popular dictionary say that the verb "merkeln" is on track to become the most popular "youth word" of the year. Media strategists around the chancellor who may have fleetingly thought they could seize on the opportunity to encourage more young people to support the German chancellor will, however, have been quickly disappointed.