Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer elected as new CDU leader

The Christian Democratic Union party has elected Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as party leader, marking the start of a new era for Germany’s ruling party.

She is replacing Angela Merkel who earlier today bid farewell to the CDU.

Merkel will stay on as Chancellor.

The Guardian reports “Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, a staunchly Catholic conservative career politician, has been elected as the successor to Angela Merkel as leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats.

Kramp-Karrenbauer won by just 25 votes following a nail-biting second round run-off against her main opponent, the multi-millionaire businessman Friedrich Merz.

Wiping away tears, Kramp-Karrenbauer said she would accept the post, and thanked the party for its support and trust in her, insisting she would give new impetus to the party as it seeks to claw back the millions of voters it has lost to rightwing populists and the Greens in recent years.

“We should harness the boost this competition has given us, and use it to propel the party’s success,” she said.”