Angela Merkel has heralded the close of a political era in Europe’s most powerful nation, standing down as leader of Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union after 18 years and declaring that her career in politics would end in 2021.
The decision will set in train a succession battle that is expected to become a bitter struggle for the soul of one of Europe’s most successful postwar parties. In announcing the move, Ms Merkel said it was “time to open a new chapter”.
Ms Merkel’s authority has been gradually eroded since she was returned to office for a fourth time last year after the CDU won its lowest vote share since 1949; her conservative allies spent many ensuing months in open revolt over her handling of the refugee crisis.
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