Merkel herself is no liberal (means pro free-economy in europe).
Cite : " Saving (money) hurts !"
Spending is not the same as saving Mrs. Merkel. It's the opposite.
Why did she sacrifice 'her' tax expert ? Maybe because he's to close to the Wulf, März line (our 'neocons') - just a thought.
That is exactly what she learned in adlershof - to trip up stoiber, wulf, märz and others and that's why she is where she is.
Merkel is very liberal. She hasn´t changed her views on the economy, on freedom. It´s just that she´s the German shepherd among black and white sheep. Someone has to keep the gone-wild group together. That´s unfortunately her job, she relies on both - the black and the white sheep.
It wasn´t her decision to drop Prof. Kirchhof, it was the people´s decision. The people aren´t prepared for freedom, that was the outcome of our last election. They had the choice, and a majority voted for a "change without much change". In the end, only a few members of the government were replaced, but we still follow the old track. It´s a pity.
If elections were held today, someone must prevent me from voting FDP - or I would do so! It´s not a coincidence that the FDP is at 13% in polls right now. It´s not a coincidence that the CDU/CSU is at 35%.