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Markus Schreiber/PA

Favourite to replace Angela Merkel stands down amid far right row

Germany’s next national elections must take place by autumn next year.

THE POLITICIAN WIDELY seen as German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chosen successor has given up on leadership ambitions, falling victim to a growing crisis over ties between the centre and far right.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) known as AKK, fell on her sword after barely a year in the post.

It was a period marked by internal battles over whether to cooperate with the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD).

AKK blamed the “unresolved relationship of parts of the CDU with the (far-right) AfD and (far-left) Left party” for her decision to depart, a party source told AFP.

While the party has a policy of no cooperation with either far left or far right at a national level, regional CDU lawmakers last week went rogue and voted in the same camp as MPs from the AfD to oust a far-left state premier in tiny central Thuringia.

AKK’s attempts to impose rigid no-cooperation discipline from Berlin have foundered especially in Germany’s former communist east, where strong showings for the AfD and Left in some states threaten the ability of mainstream parties’ to form functioning coalition majorities.

The breach in the political dam towards the AfD in Thuringia prompted Merkel’s junior partners in the national government, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), to call urgent talks at the weekend about the partnership’s future.

AKK’s departure, the most prominent political head to roll after the Thuringia crisis, was “unsettling,” SPD board member Michael Roth tweeted today.

“It is still less certain whether decent democrats stand together in the battle for democracy and against nationalism,” he added.

Broken taboo 

Voting alongside the far right breaches one of the fundamental taboos of post-World War II German politics – the refusal of mainstream parties to work with the extremes.

Her inability to keep her troops in line prompted AKK to tell a meeting of the CDU’s leadership “she will not be a candidate for the chancellery”, the source said.

The move finally ends the role as heir apparent she had held since even before she was heaved with Merkel’s backing into the party’s top job.

Germany’s next national elections must take place by autumn next year, although the fractious coalition between the CDU, its Bavarian CSU allies and the centre-left SPD may not hold until then.

By this summer, AKK hopes to have organised a process to find the person to lead the CDU into the next federal campaign.

“It is clear that the party leadership and the chancellorship must be held by the same person,” she told fellow leaders — an implicit rebuke to Merkel’s 2018 decision to split the offices.

The veteran chancellor gave up on the party leadership as a string of regional defeats and the growth of the far right undermined her popularity within her own ranks.

Race to the top 

Despite Merkel naming her defence minister last July to lend her the authority of federal office, AKK never managed to stamp her authority on the CDU after her narrow win over challenger Friedrich Merz.

Her bowing out now reopens the race to succeed Merkel.

She has been in power since 2005, but said she would not run again for the highest office at the same time she gave up the CDU leadership.

Merz, a former rival of Merkel’s, has been waiting in the wings ever since AKK prevailed in the leadership election, and still enjoys strong backing from the pro-business and more conservative wings of the party.

Just last week, the former CDU parliamentary leader gave up his job at giant asset manager BlackRock “to support the party more strongly in its renewal and re-enter politics”, he said.

- © AFP 2020.

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    Mute The Viking
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    Jul 24th 2017, 4:31 PM

    The True Heart of the fighting Irish. Well done Orla. Keep up the fight.

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    Mute Gareth Miskelly
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    Jul 24th 2017, 4:44 PM

    @The Viking: i wish i could like this comment more than once! Couldnt agree more!

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2017, 5:00 PM

    After all this lovely young woman has done for CF wouldn’t you think the bloody health minister would sanction money for her operation. Ffs. Does he have to be led by the nose all the time

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    Mute Jed I. Knight
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    Jul 24th 2017, 6:11 PM

    @Mary Murphy: I’m sure you mean well, but had you taken the time to read any of this inspiring young lady’s blogs, social media posts or her Gofundme page you’d know it isn’t quite that simple.
    As she’s currently so ill she can’t travel back to Ireland, but while her only chance at survival is a lung transplant her health insurance will cover the cost, presumably when a suitable donor becomes available, however that’s not the full story.
    Many of the costs are not covered by insurance, and the first year post transplant are crucial, this after care is crucial – and expensive. Hence the request for funding. If you can spare it, please consider donating. Thank you for your time.

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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Jul 24th 2017, 7:12 PM

    @Jed I. Knight: l think Mary Murphy was simply pointing out that the Minister for Health might underwrite the cost of Orla’s care. And while it might be exceptional, and lead to “what about me” complaints, l for one would only applaud the intervention. But it won’t happen for political reasons. Maybe a Dermot Desmond, Denis O’Brien, Michael O’Leary or J. P. McManus might anonymously do the right thing. If they even noticed.

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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Jul 24th 2017, 7:52 PM

    @Jed I. Knight: I actually meant for them to pay the US hospital who is looking after her. Orla is a lady who’s done so much for CF and as such deserves the most that can be done. How do you know I didn’t donate????

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    Mute Jed I. Knight
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    Jul 24th 2017, 8:47 PM

    @Mary Murphy: As I already said, covering the cost of her transplant in America, which is likely to be substantial, isn’t up for debate, she clearly said her health insurance will cover this, thankfully.
    And you’re right, I don’t know if you did or didn’t donate, nor would I ask, it’s a personal issue. I politely asked if you could spare it to consider it.

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    Mute Maire
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:30 AM

    @Jed I. Knight: Do CF patients get Health Ins.? Of coarse they should, but do they?

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    Mute Maire
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    Jul 25th 2017, 10:32 AM

    @Maire: Sorry, yes I see she has, thank God!

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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 24th 2017, 8:40 PM

    Great stuff….well done …hope it’s a fantastic success….she certainly deserves it!!!

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    Mute Paul Radburn
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    Jul 24th 2017, 6:19 PM

    Some good news for a change, well done.

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    Mute Andi Black
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    Jul 24th 2017, 8:17 PM

    Orla, I hope and pray that you will get the treatment that you need and deserve. Your government has let you down. But there is…… ‘Joe Duffy’ and Liveline, he might be able to help. Kindest regards. Andi!

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    Mute Paul Moran
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    Jul 25th 2017, 3:21 PM

    Now that the fundraising target has been reached, is there need of further donations?
    I was always a great admirer of Orla’s having read her articles in the Irish times, heard her interviews on radio and seen her on the Late Late.
    She is one courageous lady and I wish her success in her forthcoming operation and full health in the years to come. Paul Moran

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