Berlin attack threatens Merkel's liberal stance

Berlin

GERMANS, since time immemorial, have loved their trees. They love Christmas, with its warm glow, merrymaking and the promise of a return to light after winter. The annual Christmas markets in every public square are the epitome of these traditions.

Monday's attack on a Christmas market in the heart of Berlin killed 12 bystanders and left 48 wounded. An attacker hijacked a 40-tonne lorry, forced the Polish driver to run down members of the public, killed the driver and fled. The police were able to detain a suspect, a Pakistani national, though he denied involvement, and was freed last night.