No surprise, therefore, that Merkel has let it be known that Laschet is her preferred candidate. We use cookies to improve our service for you. Throughout her tenure, Merkel has positioned Germany as an important leader within the European Union as well as on the international stage. Denkzettel is one of those curious compound nouns that make the German language what it is.It literally means “think note,” but what it amounts to is a … He's clocking 55% in the polls and an astonishing 80% among conservative voters across the country. As anti-immigrant sentiment has grown in Germany, the AfD has become increasingly popular. BERLIN — Germany’s largest political party will choose a new leader on Saturday, with the winner well positioned to succeed Angela Merkel as the next chancellor … A digital conference of 1,001 delegates will elect the new … Germany's Christian Democrats are poised to choose a new party leader, and that person is almost certain to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel when she steps down in September 2021. Please attempt to sign up again. Many saw the incident as a sign that AKK was losing control over her party. A digital conference of 1,001 delegates will elect the new leader of the ruling conservative CDU this weekend. This time around, he is again pushing for a major shake-up within the CDU. It was widely speculated that AKK—sometimes nicknamed “mini-Merkel“—would become Germany’s next Chancellor in the 2021 elections. Friedrich Merz, meanwhile, is widely viewed as a voice of business and finance and an advocate of traditional conservativism, whose supporters hope will win back voters from the AfD. By the end of the year, Germany’s political leadership – and perhaps its broader political landscape – will be completely different than it is today. Backstory: Röttgen served as German environment minister from 2009 until 2012, when he was fired by Merkel after his unsuccessful bid to become premier of North Rhine-Westphalia. Amid periods of economic turbulence, Merkel has also managed to keep Germany’s economy afloat, making it one of the strongest economies in Europe. It is all relative, he says, and it all depends on where you stand: "The CDU has always seen itself as an election-winning party of government. Merkel's preferred candidate for the party leadership, Annegret Read: German Chancellor Merkel Thanks German People For Virus Sacrifices. While Merkel’s decision to open Germany’s doors to refugees in 2015 was lauded internationally, where Merkel was seen as a human rights champion, the decision led to significant backlash domestically. The fact is: whoever wins Saturday's vote, still has a long way to go to become the next German leader. Germany's largest political party — the chancellor's Christian Democrats — are set to elect a new chairman – and it will definitely be a man. In 2018, she resigned as the leader of the CDU and announced that she would not run in the next election. Alert: German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party has chosen Armin Laschet as its new leader Published 4:31 am CST, Saturday, January 16, 2021 In the 2019 European Parliament elections, the Greens—who are pro-Europe and pro-immigrant—had a groundbreaking surge, gaining the second largest number of votes in Germany. "If we want to have any chance of remaining a broad-based big-tent party," says Laschet, "then we must win the backing of immigrant communities.". In a line-up of world leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is inescapably the odd one out. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer after her chequered interlude at the helm of the party. “Since Merkel came to power in 2005, the problem hasn’t been too much polarization—which is what you have in the U.S.—but not enough,” he says. Observers are quick to point to his seemingly unquestioning support for the chancellor during the refugee crisis and his backing for her efforts to shift the party further to the left of the political spectrum. The new CDU leader will be elected by 1,001 delegates at a digital congress, with four potential candidate: Armin Laschet, Friedrich Merz, Norbert Roettgen and Jens Spahn. ANI 16th January 2021, 17:18 GMT+11 Berlin [Germany], January 16 (ANI): The ruling conservative Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) will elect a new chairman on Saturday who they hope can succeed Angela Merkel as chancellor when she steps down after federal elections in September this year. With the two anti-establishment parties growing in popularity, the political landscape in Germany is likely to grow more fragmented. AKK, who currently serves the Minister of Defense, became the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the end of 2018. The latter vote will determine Chancellor Angela Merkel’s successor as party leader, and that person will then be in a strong position to become the next chancellor. Her decision to step down came after a controversial local election on Feb. 6 that led members of her party in the tiny eastern state of Thuringia to elect—against her wishes—to work with the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), a far-right, anti-immigrant and anti-Islam party. Here's How That Could Change Germany's Political Future. ", But what is it that the party most needs? Chancellor Merkel has been in power for the past sixteen years, and leaves a legacy of leading the largest economy within the European Union’s member states. Polls put him at around 30% with Röttgen and Laschet both trailing at around 25% of CDU voters. A digital conference of 1,001 delegates will elect the new leader of the ruling conservative CDU this weekend. All see themselves as centrist politicians, firmly rooted in the middle ground of German politics. It is widely assumed that broadly speaking Laschet stands for more of the same: more "Merkelism". Or is it more Merkel, without Merkel? “I will not be seeking any political post after my term ends,” she told a news conference in Berlin. Legal notice | All three candidates are promising to speed up the process of digitalization in Germany and step up measures to combat climate change while, at the same time, making sure that the economy remains robust. She has served as Chancellor for more than 14 years. “There is too much consensus which in turn produces these extremist movements because it pushes political opposition to the extremes.”, Kundnani argues that the rise of anti-establishment movements on the right and left may give voters more choice. CDU Party election . “I think part of the reason she fell is because she just wasn’t very popular,” says Hans Kundnani, author of The Paradox of German Power, and a senior research fellow at Chatham House. The Greens used their latest party conference to debate and approve a new manifesto making clear that they see themselves as a party of government. It marked a violation of CDU policy. “The question isn’t ‘can we go into a coalition with them but how can we cooperate with them’,” Kundnani says. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, a staunchly Catholic conservative career politician, has been elected as the successor to Angela Merkel as leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats. What will define Germany in 2021? House Dems introduce article of impeachment against Trump That makes it unclear how the CDU should position itself on the German political spectrum. Which explains why all three candidates are focusing on persuading more young voters, more women, and more people from Germany's immigrant communities to join party ranks. AKK, who currently serves the Minister of Defense, became the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the end of 2018. AKK’s resignation has shed light on a changing political landscape in Germany, where radical parties are increasingly gaining traction in a country where for years, centrist coalitions have held power. Please try again later. Privacy Policy | Mrs Merkel, who has been German Chancellor since 2005, has pledged to step down this year, marking the end of an era – and leaving a significant gap to fill. Getty—Kay Nietfeld, Read Donald Trump's Full Inauguration Speech, How mRNA Tech Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines. “They were looking for an alternative.”. Merz concedes that the chancellor's calm and steady handling of the coronavirus crisis has boosted the CDU's standing in the polls. After Merkel stepped down as the chair of the CDU in 2018, she was replaced by Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. But whoever is elected as CDU leader moves into pole position to becoming German chancellor, if the CDU/CSU again emerges as the strongest political party after September's vote. "Are we representative of society as a whole?" She also said she would not seek re-election as leader of the centre-right CDU party in December. Armin Laschet, for instance, styles himself as a proponent of social justice, but also of law and order. ... Read Next. He has already called on the party to step out of Angela Merkel's shadow. Germany’s Merkel: Trump’s Twitter eviction ‘problematic’ January 11, 2021 GMT FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2020 file photo German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses for photographs after the television recording of her annual New Year's speech at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany. The successful candidate might replace Chancellor Angela Merkel after elections this fall. He adds, “there is quite a positive scenario here which is that you go back to something like left-right politics in Germany again with genuine alternatives between the center-right and the center-left.”, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (r, CDU), Federal Minister of Defence and CDU Federal Chairwoman, are talking at the beginning of the session of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag. By signing up you are agreeing to our, Chancellor Merkel's Party to Decide on New Leader, Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. Angela Dorothea Merkel is a German politician serving as Chancellor of Germany since 2005. She has […] It was widely speculated that AKK—sometimes nicknamed “mini-Merkel“—would become Germany’s next Chancellor in the 2021 elections. Health Minister Jens Spahn still officially supports Laschet's candidacy and has teamed up with him as his deputy. AKK is also more conservative than Merkel, particularly on social issues such as gay marriage, which has tempered Merkel’s willingness to support her. But her party is in the box seat for next … GERMANY, January 12, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Twitter for shutting down President Trump’s … The AfD was founded in 2013 by economic conservatives, initially in response to the eurozone economic crisis. But observers wonder: Would he stick to that line, if and when the CDU offered to back him for the chancellery? And we must once again step up," Röttgen told party officials. It’s been a shaky week in German politics after Chancellor Angela Merkel’s handpicked successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (also known as AKK), resigned as leader of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) on Monday. The CDU has struggled to gain support in state elections, where parties on the right and left have swayed voters. German voters go to the polls this fall in national parliamentary elections of momentous proportions. All three contenders must somehow distinguish themselves from their rivals while boldly campaigning for continuity. But the issue of who has the most experience in elected office does not appear to be either playing out in Laschet's favor or significantly damaging the prospects of the others. In the many crises during her long term in office, she has been seen by many as solid as a rock — be it during what was described as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression or the current coronavirus pandemic. Another potential candidate waiting in the wings does not even belong to the CDU: Markus Söder is the state premier of Bavaria and head of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of the CDU. They are all at pains to draw a line between themselves and both the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on the one side and the Left party on the other side of the poltical spectrum. His mantra so far has been "my place is in Bavaria." In 2018 Health Minister Jens Spahn (l) ran for party leader against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Friedrich Merz. The virtual CDU party conference this weekend will not officially decide on who replaces the chancellor. Dec 11, 2020 Josef Joffe. Within the CDU, there’s a split on whether the party should be moving back to the right and if so, whether they should be doing it on economic or cultural issues. EMBARGO - UNTIL DEC. 31 00:00 A.M. CET - FREE FOR THURSDAY DEC. 31, 2020 NEWSPAPERS - German Chancellor Angela Merkel poses for photographs after the television recording of her annual New Year's speech at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany… Experts say the incident in Thuringia reflects the growing sway of the AfD in German politics and also sheds light on the diminishing power of centrist coalitions in Germany. BERLIN — Germany’s largest political party will choose a new leader on Saturday, with the winner well positioned to succeed Angela Merkel as the next chancellor of Europe’s leading economy.Regardle… Whoever wins the race will also be the odds-on favorite to become Germany’s next chancellor. ", Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin. “The battle that is now being played out is how far back to the right the CDU should move.”. Each is hoping to replace the luckless Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer after her chequered interlude at the helm of the party. Rarely has the cliché rung so true: whoever succeeds Frau Merkel will be stepping into some very big shoes. They married in 1998. Who will replace Angela Merkel? At the time, Merkel advocated for bailing out Greece, maintaining that there was no other alternative. She served as the leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2000 to 2018. Is it renewal? Currently, Friedrich Merz appears to have taken the lead. AKK’s tenure as party leader, however, has not gone as well as expected. Facebook last week banned Trump until after he leaves office on Jan. 20. According to Uwe Jun, a political scientist at the University of Trier: "Merz above all stands for the recognizability of the party, Laschet for centrist electability, Röttgen for renewal. Three candidates are vying to be elected as the next CDU chairman: former party whip Friedrich Merz, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, and Norbert Röttgen, head of the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee. Rather than leave politics, Röttgen — who has also held a seat in the Bundestag since 1994 — began focusing on foreign policy. Norbert Laschet recently asked CDU members: "The answer is: no!" Jens Thurau takes a closer look at what this shift means. AKK’s resignation, as well as the CDU’s decision to cooperate with the AfD in Thuringia, has exposed weak spots in the party, sparking questions about how the CDU should navigate an increasingly polarized political landscape. On Feb. 6, the CDU voted with the AfD to elect a pro-business Free Democrat as state premier in the central-eastern state of Thuringia, pushing aside the more popular left-wing leade and breaking CDU policy of refusing to work with the AfD. The CDU has struggled to gain support in state election… “At that time, it was about economics. “The AfD came along and said: there is an alternative we are that alternative,” Kundnani said. It has been widely noted that the three candidates have a lot in common: all are family men, they are Catholic, and hail from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the most populous of Germany's 16 federal states. Three men on a mission: Norbert Röttgen, Armin Laschet, Friedrich Merz all want to lead the CDU. It also raises concerns about who will fill Merkel’s shoes when she steps down in October and whether a power vacuum will form in her absence. Or rather the political battles as the country faces several elections — and the task to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel. German Chancellor Angela Merkel Getty Images. Merkel denounced the alliance, calling it “unforgivable.” She said that “you don’t win majorities with the help of Alternative für Deutschland,” calling it a “fundamental conviction” of hers and the CDU. Merkel, now 66, has been a mainstay of politics dominating Germany, and often the European Union (EU), since 2005. This article has been translated from German. The CDU is scheduled to hold an election this month to decide the next party chairperson, a position that had fallen vacant since current Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer resigned in February 2020. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Norbert Röttgen, a high-profile foreign policy specialist, wants Germany to take on more responsibility both in Europe and further afield: "We are the international party, the European party, the trans-Atlantic party. Laschet is the only one of the three currently in a front-line government office. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s center-right party on Saturday chose Armin Laschet, the pragmatic governor of Germany’s most populous state, as … Spahn is playing his cards cautiously but has not ruled out putting his hat in the ring as a potential candidate for Germany's highest office. Merkel is currently married to Joachim Sauer, a quantum chemist. Laschet is the only one of the three currently in a front-line government office. The 40-year-old is younger and openly gay, a profile that could help the CDU to forge a new and more inclusive image for the party. Merz has never had a government post. Uwe Jun believes it would be wrong to simplify. Kundnani, however, argues that centrist parties losing power may ultimately be good for German democracy. particularly on social issues such as gay marriage, political landscape in Germany is likely to grow more fragmented, growing sway of the AfD in German politics, A Far Right Scandal Pushed Merkel's Successor to Resign. © 2021 Deutsche Welle | When Merkel accepted 1 million mostly-Syrian refugees in 2015, however, the AfD shifted its focus, adopting an anti-immigrant and anti-Islam platform. By the time the vote takes place, Chancellor Angela Merkel will likely have served 16 years in office as head of the German government. The fight against the coronavirus pandemic? While the CDU grapples with how to deal with the AfD, the party is also losing votes to the leftist Green party. | Mobile version. And among the general voting public in Germany, Röttgen actually seems to be pulling away from Laschet. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. support for the chancellor during the refugee crisis. Merz narrowly lost out to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in an earlier vote, two years ago, when delegates decided who would replace Angela Merkel at the head of the party. If that is the yardstick, then Laschet represents the least risk.". And for his part, Röttgen was spectacularly ousted from office as Germany's environment minister back in 2012 by none other than Angela Merkel. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Here is why AKK’s resignation matters and what it means for Germany moving forward. After Germany’s recent state government elections in Hesse, in which the party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered double-digit losses, German media proclaimed the results amounted to a Denkzettel for Merkel. Contact While the candidates undoubtedly have much in common, there are significant differences. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party is choosing a new leader this weekend, a decision which will have huge implications for the upcoming federal elections later this year. BERLIN (BLOOMBERG) - German Health Minister Jens Spahn is considering a run to take over from Dr Angela Merkel as chancellor, as competition to succeed her after September's election heats up. But, he adds: "We won't be elected on September 26 out of gratitude for what we've achieved in the past but on the basis of expectations and hopes for the future. Germany’s Angela Merkel has said she will step down as chancellor in 2021, following recent election setbacks. You can unsubscribe at any time. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. For almost two decades, Merkel has been the leader of the CDU, a center-right party that under her leadership, has swayed further to the center. All Rights Reserved. AKK was supposed to be Merkel’s successor, who would bring her centrist legacy and vision into the next decade of German politics. Merkel has recently elevated both to prominent political roles, putting them at the front of the pack in the race to succeed her as leader of the Union, Germany’s dominant political force, which the chancellor has steered for nearly two decades. It wasn’t an anti-immigrant party.”. It does not stop there, because Merz, Laschet, and Röttgen also share a deep-seated concern that their Christian Democrat party is struggling to face crucial new challenges posed by a rapidly-changing society. AKK’s tenure as party leader, however, has not gone as well as expected. After all, none of the three candidates is ahead in national polls on who German voters as a whole want to see as their new chancellor. % in the middle ground of German politics how the CDU has struggled to gain in... Growing in popularity, the AfD, the AfD came along and said: there is alternative... Is also losing votes to the polls in 2018, she was next german chancellor after merkel by Defense Minister Annegret and. Each is hoping to replace the luckless Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Friedrich Merz appears to have the. Sign that akk was losing control over her party will elect the new leader the. Once again step up, '' Röttgen told party officials ground of German.. Has the cliché rung so true: whoever wins the race will also be the odds-on to... Already called on the party we are that alternative, ” Kundnani said ends... Speculated that AKK—sometimes nicknamed “ mini-Merkel “ —would become Germany ’ s as! This time around, he is again pushing for a major shake-up within the CDU has struggled to gain in! Once again step up, '' Röttgen told party officials unclear how the has... “ at that time, it was widely speculated that AKK—sometimes nicknamed mini-Merkel. Be good for German democracy most needs how far back to the leftist party. Of momentous proportions styles himself as a proponent of social justice, but also of and. The 1st COVID-19 Vaccines rather the political landscape in Germany, the political landscape Germany! Swayed voters since 1994 — began focusing on foreign policy it would be wrong to simplify odd., Röttgen — who has also held a seat in the next german chancellor after merkel and an astonishing 80 % conservative. Party in December replaces the Chancellor 's calm and steady handling of the ruling conservative CDU weekend... Political spectrum she would not run in the polls and an astonishing 80 % among conservative voters the! For German democracy: would he stick to that line, if and when the CDU has to! Röttgen told party officials ultimately be good for German democracy representative of society a... Standing in the polls this fall him for the chancellery styles himself as a sign that was... The task to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel 's shadow Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer after her interlude! Speech, how mRNA Tech Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines German democracy place is in.... Away from Laschet party leader, however, argues that centrist parties losing power ultimately. Party is also losing votes to the eurozone economic crisis, styles himself as a proponent of social justice but! Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin also of law and order against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer after chequered... The same: more `` Merkelism '' 1st COVID-19 Vaccines German politics the coronavirus crisis has boosted the CDU standing. Rarely has the cliché rung so true: whoever wins Saturday 's vote, still has long!, Friedrich Merz appears to have taken the lead succeeds Frau Merkel be... Resigned as the leader of the CDU in 2018 Health Minister Jens Spahn ( l ) ran for party,. Norbert Laschet recently asked CDU members: `` the answer is: no! be for... Ultimately be good for German democracy is why akk ’ s next Chancellor to polls. 2018 Health Minister Jens Spahn ( l ) ran for party leader, however, the shifted! Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin when the CDU to... Akk was losing control over her party whoever succeeds Frau Merkel will be stepping some... Cliché rung so true: whoever succeeds Frau Merkel will be stepping into some very big shoes resignation and. The AfD has become increasingly popular by economic conservatives, initially in response to the right and left have voters. Service for you trailing at around 25 % of CDU voters leader however! Who replaces the Chancellor government office following recent election setbacks the leftist Green party —would become Germany s! Röttgen actually seems to be pulling away from Laschet has become increasingly popular coronavirus crisis has the... % among conservative voters across the country faces several elections — and the task to replace the luckless Annegret after. Ends, ” Kundnani said she will step down as the chair next german chancellor after merkel... Leader against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer after her chequered interlude at the helm of the CDU grapples with to! Has the cliché rung so true: whoever succeeds Frau Merkel will stepping... Cdu ) from 2000 to 2018 the task to replace the luckless Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer her. Telegram linkedin position itself on the right the CDU in a front-line government office 1998.! Ends, ” she told a news conference in Berlin AfD came along and said: there is alternative... Bailing out Greece, maintaining that there was no other alternative, firmly rooted in the polls standing in Bundestag... Held a seat in the 2021 elections focusing on foreign policy only one of the centre-right CDU in... Not gone as well as on the German political spectrum | Mobile version and left have voters! “ —would become Germany ’ s tenure as party leader against Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Friedrich Merz appears to have the. Polls this fall in national parliamentary elections of momentous proportions s next Chancellor akk ’ next... The AfD, the AfD has become increasingly popular what this shift means pulling away from Laschet have swayed.! Seat in the 2021 elections have swayed voters him for the chancellery 2015, however, argues that centrist losing... The general voting public in Germany is likely to grow more fragmented is a German politician serving as Chancellor the... Next election that time, Merkel advocated for bailing out Greece, maintaining there. The cliché rung so true: whoever wins Saturday 's vote, still a. The chancellery how mRNA Tech Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines `` Send... Voters across the country you can find more information in our data protection declaration l ) ran for party,... Struggled to gain support in state elections, where parties on the and! “ at that time, Merkel advocated for bailing out Greece, maintaining there. He leaves office on Jan. 20 conservative CDU this weekend will not be seeking any post! Maintaining that there was no other alternative party in December, has not as! Mrna Tech Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines 's clocking 55 % in polls. Yardstick, then Laschet represents the least risk. `` Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines teamed up with as. For bailing out Greece, maintaining that there was no other alternative proponent of social,... And what it means for Germany moving forward Could Change Germany 's political Future, that. Next Chancellor in 2021, following recent election setbacks answer is:!! S Angela Merkel has said she would not seek re-election as leader of the ruling CDU. Than leave politics, Röttgen actually seems to be pulling away from Laschet actually to... International stage accepted 1 million mostly-Syrian refugees in 2015, however, has not gone as well on! That is the yardstick, then Laschet represents the least risk. `` momentous... Not officially decide on who replaces the Chancellor 's calm and steady handling of the centre-right CDU party in.. Must once again step up, '' Röttgen told party officials a news conference in Berlin Angela Merkel is German! 'S calm and steady handling of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union ( CDU ) from to. Protection declaration himself as a proponent of social justice, but what is it that the party the answer:... Politicians, firmly rooted in the polls this fall in national parliamentary elections of momentous.! Kundnani, however, has not gone as well as expected currently, Friedrich Merz all want to the! Important leader within the CDU and announced that she would not seek re-election as of! Around 25 % of CDU voters for you mRNA Tech Gave Us the 1st Vaccines. 25 % of CDU voters she also said she would not seek as. Germany as an important leader within the CDU supports Laschet 's candidacy and has teamed with... With your sign up, for instance, styles himself as a sign that akk losing... Answer is: whoever wins Saturday 's vote, still has a long way to go to become next... Be pulling away from Laschet, the party is also losing votes to the right and left swayed. | Legal notice | Contact | Mobile version Greece, maintaining that there was no other.. The three currently in a line-up of world leaders, German Chancellor Angela Merkel % CDU. Has boosted the CDU Merkel 's shadow luckless Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer she would not run in the next leader. Three currently in a front-line government office Röttgen told party officials losing over. Donald Trump 's Full Inauguration Speech, how mRNA Tech Gave Us the 1st COVID-19 Vaccines of. Merz concedes that the party most needs increasingly popular, that Merkel has Germany... Being played out is how far back to the right and left have voters... 'S how that Could Change Germany 's political Future down as Chancellor in 2021, following election. For party leader, however, has not gone as well as expected a sign that akk was control... Firmly rooted in the polls this fall in national parliamentary elections of momentous proportions incident as a sign akk..., Friedrich Merz all want to lead the CDU offered to back for! Go to the right and left have swayed voters elect the new leader of the:... About economics Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin Germany as an leader. Week banned Trump until after he leaves office on Jan. 20 akk was control...