On septemder 1st the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, and her main challenger, Peer Steinbriick, had their only televised debate before the federal election. The country has since been abuzz with controversy-over Mrs Merkel's necklace. Even though she had worn it before, Germans first noticed it during the debate. It is made of black onyx, red foam coral and golden crystal. These are the German national colours, although their arrangement on the chancellor's neck might to some have looked more Belgian. The question was, what did it mean?
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