Europe watching Merkel closely

Europe watching Merkel closely:

"Europe watching Merkel closely

By ANGELA DOLAND
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

PARIS -- European expectations weigh heavily on Angela Merkel as she begins her job as Germany's chancellor. Will she maintain privileged relations with France? How much will she cozy up to Washington? Where does she stand on EU reforms?

Merkel's first round of official trips this week - to Paris, Brussels and London - is eagerly awaited for clues to policy change. Analysts do not expect an overhaul, as Merkel's hands are tied by an unwieldy power-sharing coalition with outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats."