Despite Merkel's Support: Kramp-Karrenbauer Announces Withdrawal from Chancellor Race

(Patria) – The leader of Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) and protégé of Angela Merkel, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, will not run for chancellor in next year's federal elections, a source from her party revealed to Reuters.

Let's recall, Kramp-Karrenbauer (57) won support in December 2018 to replace Merkel as the head of the CDU, but has reportedly failed to impose her authority within the party. A recent example is the election for governor of Thuringia last week, when the regional CDU branch acted against her instructions by expressing support for a local leader who enjoys the support of the right-wing AfD.

Kramp-Karrenbauer told CDU leaders on Monday that she would step down from the party's top position and abandon her ambition to become chancellor, believing that one person should hold both roles. She also announced that a nomination process for both positions would be organized by the summer.

Reuters writes that Chancellor Merkel insists that Kramp-Karrenbauer remain in the position of Minister of Defense.