German Chancellor Angela Merkel (l.) smiles after her speech in a beer tent at the traditional Gillamoos folk festival in Abensberg, southern Germany, September 3, 2012. After taking the politician's obligatory swig, Merkel launched into her address, extolling traditional values close to Bavarian hearts and praising the predominantly Catholic state's exemplary "laptop and lederhosen" economy.
PHOTO: Michael Dalder/Reuters
