German Elections - Will the Free Democrats survive?

As Germany enters the final week of the election campaign, Bavarian state election gives the CDU/CSU a boost, but the FDP's poor showing may foreshadow national level issues:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/16/world/europe/strong-showing-for-merkels-conservative-allies-in-bavaria.html

The Wall St. Journal focuses on the possibility of a grand coalition: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323527004579077163110377446.html



The Economist magazine endorses Merkel in advance of the September 22nd election: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21586343-german-voters-should-re-elect-angela-merkel-their-chancellorand-europes-leader-one-woman