BERLIN - Germany's main opposition party plans to make governing more difficult for Chancellor Angela Merkel after her center-right alliance lost a key state election.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats told n-tv television on Monday that Merkel should learn from the defeat in North Rhine-Westphalia, which ended her majority in parliament's upper house.
Steinmeier said Merkel's government will no longer be able to simply push through its plans. The upper house represents states and must approve much major legislation.
Merkel's coalition planned tax cuts and a major health care reform -- projects that could be delayed or blocked by the upper house.
Sunday's vote was the first electoral test for Merkel since she and her new national government took office last October.
