Chancellor merkels announcement on sunday that she is prepared to stand for a fourth term surprised nobody as the likelihood has been speculated over and talked up for weeks, so much so that mrs. Merkel had to talk down expectations in her announcement. Let us take a listen. Mrs. Merkel under the circumstances, i am ready to stand for reelection. I have also said the following clearly. After the Election Results in the United States, there have been statements aout how much depends on me now. That is an honor, but i find it bizarre and bordering on the absurd. No one person, no matter how experienced, can singlehandedly forced the situation to change for the better. In germany, in europe, the world, and certainly the german chancellor cannot either. Anne Angela Merkel decision has been subject to speculation at the highest level. U. S. President barack obama said he would vote for her if he had the right. Merkels announcement is the opening salvo in the runup to germany from election a