Merkel's hand strengthened by German voters ahead of summits

Washington

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel is picking up a tailwind for Germany's election in September, strengthening her position at home and on the global stage ahead of a series of summits with fellow leaders including US President Donald Trump.

Written off last year for her open-border stance on refugees, Mrs Merkel is clawing back when it counts. Her party's election victory in Germany's most populous state on Sunday highlights her pull among voters as she vows to hold the European Union together, defends free trade and rebuffs Mr Trump's pressure to accelerate defence spending.