The victory enhanced her reputation as Europe's top political power broker, as Merkel became the first leader of a major European country to win reelection since the [[Recession of 2008|global financial crisis]] struck last year. Voters generally approved of her response to the recession, even though it has hammered Germany's export-dependent economy and has resulted in a huge amount of public debt. She countered criticism by blaming the crisis on Wall Street, and engaging in a modest stimulus program.<ref>Craig Whitlock, "Germany's Merkel Reelected Easily, Will Form New Coalition," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092700631.html?nav=emailpage ''Washington Post'' Sept. 28, 2009]</ref> | The victory enhanced her reputation as Europe's top political power broker, as Merkel became the first leader of a major European country to win reelection since the [[Recession of 2008|global financial crisis]] struck last year. Voters generally approved of her response to the recession, even though it has hammered Germany's export-dependent economy and has resulted in a huge amount of public debt. She countered criticism by blaming the crisis on Wall Street, and engaging in a modest stimulus program.<ref>Craig Whitlock, "Germany's Merkel Reelected Easily, Will Form New Coalition," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092700631.html?nav=emailpage ''Washington Post'' Sept. 28, 2009]</ref> |