berlin largely unperturbed angela merkel failure form government september election many germans take prospect several months coalition talk stride country use lengthy transition long since reunification 1990 87 days since election experts see government place march eu leaders fear delay euro zone integration plan strengthen bank system many economists warn europe big economy must reform invest broadband infrastructure stay competitive caretaker chancellor merkel vote eu summit parliament pass laws require international mandate local authorities wad asylum applications bright outlook europe big economy buoy mood notice much difference say nadja helling 36 cradle steam mug gluehwein berlin christmas market ideal nobody panic domestic foreign demand drive solid growth effect low borrow cost european central bank stimulus support record-high employment level rise real wag job enjoy christmas market say helling friend silvia problem munich-based ifo institute raise forecast last week expect german economy expand 2.6 percent next year high rate since 2011 add however might peak ifw institute kiel say delay formation government pose economic risk also sound warn long term boom may feel good carry seed crisis view boom harmless long consumer price control fall short say ifw stefan kooths reality experience many germans belie dire warn commentators last month loom instability even new elections merkel weaken lose vote far-right humiliate collapse 3-way coalition talk woo social democrats spd reluctant partner voters punish share power merkel conservatives last four years germany transition pal comparison eu partner belgium netherlands coalition take 225 days clinch deal year suspect process take time yet people talk instability mistake stable caretaker government effective parliament democracy function well say nils diederich politics professor berlin free university confound predictions far-right alternative germany afd dog infighting far fail capitalize lack proper government despite third-biggest party opinion poll barely change since sept. 24 election indicate little sense crisis ifo institute say tuesday uncertainty shape government grow surprise drop business moral survey december record high previous month nothing unusual indeed seasonally adjust unemployment low level since 1990 christmas sales forecast bright hde retail industry association expect sales festive season rise percent record high merkel unruffled ever seek reassure voters investors business usual germany incumbent minister stay interim government anything strike lack urgency talk partly keep skeptical spd rank file board party leaders meet wednesday draw rough timetable talk expect january meanwhile bundestag low house agree roll military missions afghanistan mali debate topics brexit plan job cut siemens germany federal structure mean much business affect ordinary people include deal asylum applications house school issue go ahead regardless berlin deutsche bahn launch much delay fast train link berlin munich complete usual teethe problems christmas market open albeit tight security last year attack impasse little effect brexit talk consensus among germany main party german eu position towards britain plan euro zone reform however contentious although merkel say monday hop make progress issue march main possible negative effect momentum europe reform desire brexit vote might lose say thomas jaeger politics professor cologne university spd determine stamp identity coalition deal merkel back deep integration merkel conservatives split whether agree grand coalition merkel leader martin schulz champion french president emmanuel macron proposals euro zone budget finance minister want unite state europe 2025. political crisis germany struggle direction main party particular spd say diederich spd need time overcome germany take political vacuum stride