German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing criticism from within her own party ranks

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is currently facing criticism from within her own party ranks. Merkel has largely refrained from taking a clear stance on key political issues like Afghanistan, Tax Cuts and health reform. In May the conservative coalition government will face a key test when voters go to the polls in the State of North-Rhine Westfalia. In the run-up to those elections there are now calls for more leadership from within the conservative CDU/CSU Party.