Loud political scandal in Germany. Successor Angels Merkel refused to become chancellor of Germany. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer’s unexpected decision caused a crisis within the CDU’s ruling party. After all, now you need to urgently look for a new candidate for a leadership position. Why is her protégé leaving Merkel, and will the chancellor’s plans to leave big politics in 2021 now change?
Angela Merkel lost her successor. Her office says that suddenly, the chancellor did not know about the intention of Annegret Kramp-Karenbauer, who became the leader of the Christian Democratic Union in Merkel in December 2018, to abandon this mission.
“I will not put forward Chancellor. However, I will remain the party chairman until a decision is made on a new candidate. Position of Minister of Defense, at the request of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, I will save, “explained the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, German Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karenbauer.
Was this really a surprise for the chancellor? It is doubtful. Soon after the election of Kramp-Karenbauer to the leading party post, there was talk that the former prime minister of the tiny Saar was not drawn to the federal level.
And even the fact that in July 2019 Merkel proposed her to the post of Minister of Defense did not add her political weight. Somehow it was so unfortunate for her that all her actions and statements by politicians and voters did not perceive as something valuable and substantial, but as the next and every time unsuccessful attempt to cease to be a mini-Merkel. But Thuringia finished it, of course. Merkel herself did not leave her a choice.
“This is a terrible day for democracy. A day that goes against the values and beliefs of the CDU,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
On February 5, the Thuringian Parliament elected the prime minister of the land. For one day, he became Thomas Kemmerich – the representative of the party “Free Democrats”, barely breaking the five percent barrier. This sensation in itself was scandalous due to the fact that his right, together with the CDU, was supported by the right-wingers from the Alternative for Germany. Although local Christian Democrats deny collusion, it is difficult to refute the fact of cooperation with those whom the media and most of the politicians call the Nazis. And yes, Kemmerich resigned, but somehow suspiciously not right away.
“Thomas Kemmerich made the right decision, but overdue it for 24 hours,” said Paul Zimiak, Secretary-General of the CDU.
Whether there was a fact of the CDU’s cooperation with Alternativa, or, using the secret ballot procedure, the right just framed Merkel’s party members, it’s not clear to the end. If the second is true, then the Alternative turned a brilliant combination, provoking another crisis of power in Germany. German Social Democracy, which, as a political party, has almost completely lost its former influence, believes that the same fate is now awaiting the Merkel party.
“We are experiencing the end of Germany’s second major people’s party. Following the SPD, the Christian Democratic Union will also not be able to save itself. The differences are too strong. At the same time, the federal government is paralyzed for the second time in a short time. I suspect that in the near future we should expect new elections, “said the 60-year-old former vice chancellor of Germany and the former head of the German Foreign Ministry, Social Democrat Sigmar Gabriel.
Early elections are possible, an early congress of the CDU is inevitable. Kramp-Karenbauer intends to hold it in the summer and raise the question of a new leader on it. There are several candidates for a vacancy. The first is Friedrich Merz, an investment banker, transatlantist and critic Merkel, the second is the current Prime Minister of the largest German state of North Rhine-Westphalia Armin Lachet. These are two realistic options for resolving a personnel crisis. But there is another option – fantastic.
This is Angela Merkel. Despite the fact that the Chancellor has already announced her retirement from big politics after the 2021 election. But no one can deprive her of the right to change her mind. Just the reasons for this should be very good. For example, any threats to political stability or democratic values. But this is just what is not difficult to find today in Germany.
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