Merkel risks reverse as key German state votes after government squabbling, Greek crisis

BERLIN – BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel's government risks a painful reverse as Germany's most populous state holds an election this weekend, with its political stock sliding after a rocky start and a buffeting from the Greek debt crisis.

Polls indicate the center-right coalition that runs North Rhine-Westphalia will struggle to win re-election Sunday.

If it doesn't, Merkel's national coalition, made up of the same parties, will lose its majority in parliament's upper house. That would limit her ability to push through her policy agenda.

Still, experts say many past German governments have lacked upper-house majorities and have not had major difficulties.