Angela Merkel to Quit as German Chancellor in 2021
ENOUGH’S ENOUGH
Her party has faced setbacks in local elections.
Reuters / Murad Sezer
Angela Merkel—the chancellor of Germany and one of Europe’s most powerful politicians—has announced she won’t seek re-election as chancellor at the next national election in 2021. She’ll remain as chancellor for the time being. Merkel’s CDU party suffered heavy losses in regional elections that has rocked the stability of her governing coalition. Merkel has chaired the CDU since 2000 and has been chancellor since 2005. She announced she’ll give up her leadership of the party in the coming days giving her successor, who will be chosen in December, time to build a profile before the next national election. Merkel’s favored candidate is party Secretary General Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
