Germany: senior CDU figure announces surprise leadership candidacy
(The Guardian Germany)

Norbert Röttgen throws hat in ring to replace Merkel after Kramp-Karrenbauer steps asideThe senior German conservative politician Norbert Röttgen has put himself forward as a surprise candidate to take over as leader of Angela Merkel´s Christian Democrats (CDU), further complicating the party´s chaotic succession planning.Last week, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Merkel´s protege, threw the party into turmoil by saying she would not stand as chancellor in the next federal election, due by October 2021, and announcing she would give up the CDU chair. Related: Fears grow that CDU crisis in Germany could spread across EU Continue reading...