Germany’s Merkel sits through anthems again

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has again sat through national anthems at a military honours ceremony after three recent incidents in which her body shook as she stood at similar events.

Chairs were set up Tuesday for Merkel and visiting Moldovan Prime Minister Maia Sandu outside the chancellery — an unusual arrangement first put in place when Denmark’s new prime minister visited on Thursday, the day after the last of Merkel’s shaking episodes. Merkel showed no signs of unsteadiness.

Merkel, who will turn 65 on Wednesday, last week suggested that the psychological impact of the first shaking episode in mid-June was responsible for the subsequent incidents, saying that she “will have to live with it for a while” but there’s nothing to worry about. She has kept up a full public schedule.