CDU’s leader is now Armin Laschet, a Merkel supporter
On Saturday, the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
chose its newest leader. The party that gave Germany its first lady chancellor
Angela Merkel will now be ruled by Armin Laschet, the North Rhine-Westphalia
governor.
In an online vote, Laschet surpassed its conservative
opponent Friedrich Merz by 521 to 466.
Armin Laschet, who was elected as prime minister of the North
Rhine-Westphalia region in 2017, is a trained lawyer who also worked as a
journalist between 1986-1991. In 1994 he was first elected as a member of the
German Parliament (Bundestag).
Although he is seen as the natural choice of the next
chancellor of Germany, one who could continue Merkel’s policy, this is not
enough to become one. The CDU will name its candidate for office later this
spring, but it is uncertain if Laschet will compete for the Chancellery.
If he indeed becomes chancellor, he will have to fill Angela
Merkel’s shoes, as, during her four terms, Germany knew a period of economic
expansion. During her last term, the country’s index, Germany30, added
14.95%, continuing its gain to this date. Since the beginning of 2021, it went
up 0.52%.
Sources: ft.com, cnbc.com
