Angela Merkel braces for second election blow in Hesse | Germany

After barely finding time to brush themselves off after suffering huge losses in Bavaria, Germany’s governing coalition is preparing for another setback. Hesse’s state election could have huge repercussions for Merkel.

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be,” boomed the 1950s favorite at the concert hall in the central city of Fulda on Thursday. Given the state of Germany’s federal government, the choice of soundtrack at the conservative CDU campaign event seemed rather apt — not least of all due to the appearance of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the guest of honor.

For the second time in two weeks, the German government is bracing for a yet another backlash on Sunday. This time, it’s in the state of Hesse: home to Germany’s financial hub, Frankfurt, and conservative stronghold for the past 20 years.

With record-low unemployment and a booming economy, it’s easy to wonder what the fuss is all about.