Merkel’s party elects Laschet as leader

Bloomberg

Germany’s dominant party voted for continuity by electing Armin Laschet as leader, opting for the candidate who most resembles outgoing chancellor, Angela Merkel, in
policy and style.
Laschet, head of the country’s most populous state, beat long-time Merkel critic Friedrich Merz in a runoff after Norbert Roettgen, chairman of foreign affairs committee in Bundestag, was eliminated in first round of voting at the Christian Democratic Union’s
online convention.

“I’m aware of the responsibility that comes with this job and will do everything to do well in the upcoming regional elections and to ensure in the national election that the next chancellor comes from the Union,” he said.

With Merkel stepping down after elections in September, there’s intense focus on the succession in Berlin as Europe seeks to kickstart a pandemic-ravaged economy, reset transatlantic ties with the incoming U.S. administration and take a larger roll on the world stage.