After weeks of failed coalition negotiations, the Social Democrats and the Greens have decided to establish a minority government in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The move means Chancellor Angela Merkel loses her majority in Germany's upper legislative chamber. It was well over a month ago that North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, headed to the polls for a crucial state election -- one which voters used to give voice to their dissatisfaction with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's governing coalition. Neither the center-left nor the center-right, however, received a clear mandate. After weeks of fruitless coalition negotiations, the Social Democrats and the Greens have decided to go it alone and try to form a minority government. It is a move that, should it work, will change the balance of power in the Bundesrat, Germany's upper legislative chamber, eliminating Merkel's majority and making it even more difficult for her to pass legislation.
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