Merkel Will Not Seek Reelection as CDU Party Chair
German news agency DPA, citing sources, tweeted that Merkel wanted to remain chancellor.
Monday’s developments come after the CDU came in first but bled support in a vote in the western state of Hesse on Sunday, the second electoral setback in as many weeks for Merkel’s conservative alliance.
Standing down from the party chair would allow a new CDU chairman or woman to build a profile before the next national election, due in 2021. Merkel’s favored successor is CDU Party Secretary-General Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
Merkel’s weakness at home may limit her capacity to lead in the European Union at a time when the bloc is dealing with Brexit, a budget crisis in Italy and the prospect of populist parties making gains at European Parliament elections next May.
Source: Hamodia