Federal Elections in Germany: The 'Grand Coalition' - a marriage not of love but sober realities

Germany is preparing for a federal election in September so most parliamentarians are already gearing up for the big fight. For the past four years, the conservative Christian Democrats and their Bavarian sister party the CSU have been in a so-called "grand coalition" with the Social Democrats. Many observers thought the traditional rivalry between the two main parties would make the coalition unworkable. But for the most part the parties have shown that they can reach compromise. Now, the conservatives led by chancellor angela merkel are looking to oust the SPD in order to pursue their own agenda and reform course. So is it the beginning of the end for the Grand Coalition? Here's a look.