Since Mr Seehofer had called Mr Westerwelle a crybaby just weeks earlier, it was a touching reconciliation.
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2.
The latest attempt at reconciliation a modest tax-relief deal between the CDU and FDP backfired because the CSU's chief, Horst Seehofer felt ignored.
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3.
Ms Merkel will look to Mr zu Guttenberg for an electoral lift, but he is beholden to Mr Seehofer, who has been one of her main tormentors since taking over Bavaria in October.