'Stress test' for Merkel coalition as SPD debates future

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel's right-left coalition faces a "stress test" from Friday as the weakened Social Democrats kick off a crunch congress to discuss their next move under a new, more radical leadership. Some 600 delegates from the centre-left SPD will be gathering at a Berlin convention centre until Sunday. The conference also marks the big-stage debut of co-leaders Norbert Walter-Borjans and Saskia Esken -- the shock winners of a vote last month who are set to be formally confirmed in their new roles on Friday.