Italy cheers Merkel's election triumph

Italian officials and politicians welcomed Monday German Chancellor Angela Merkel's election victory and the defeat of the euroskeptic Alternative for Germany (AfD), cheering the outcome as an evidence on Germans support to European unity. The outcome of the German elections "significantly strengthens the cause of Europe and its unity" and is a "proof of the democratic vitality and seriousness" of the region, Italian President Giorgio Napoliano said in a press release. Earlier on the day, Italy's prime minister, Enrico Letta, hailed Merkel's "brilliant" victory. He added that the failure of the upstart euroskeptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to reach parliament was "a good result for the European Union." On the other hand, Head of parliamentary bloc of Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom (PdL) Party Renato Brunetta urged the German leader to work for a grand coalition to diversify her government. He accused Merkel of trying to Germanize Europe and sits at the top of its helm