Italy stands ready to become German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s next love affair. For years, Berlin and Paris have entertained a close relationship, seeing themselves as the powerful engine to move the European project forward. But this alliance might come to an end if Ms. Merkel’s ally Nicolas Sarkozy loses Sunday’s presidential election to Socialist presidential contender François Hollande who has positioned himself as an opponent to Berlin’s tough austerity course. Rome stands ready to replace Paris. Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti is nicknamed the “Prussian Italian” in Germany and his sober style is more ... (full story)