Relief but muted enthusiasm as Merkel vows to run again

Many Germans may support Chancellor Angela Merkel, but few voiced open enthusiasm when she declared she wants to stay in power -- and commentators are asking whether she will offer fresh ideas or is a leader past her zenith. The veteran chancellor announced Sunday she would run again in next year's polls and seek to govern Europe's top economy for a total of 16 years, which would equal the marathon term of her conservative mentor, Helmut Kohl. "Many people would not be very understanding if now I failed to use all of my experience to do my duty for Germany," she told party faithful from her conservative CDU.