German delegates cast votes next week for new CDU party president. Three candidates are in the running with conservative-wing favourite Friedrich Merz in the lead and rivals close behind.

The battle for the helm of the German Christian Democratic Party (CDU) will be decided in a week, with the presidency going to either Friedrich Merz, Norbert Rottgen or Armin Laschet. The fight en face does not appear to be particularly intense from the outside, at least according to analysts, who say the 90-minute final debate on Friday produced no new substantial clashes on issues. In fact, the candidates concurred to such a degree on several issues that the moderator at one point remarked, „That s nice. Everyone in the CDU agrees with each other.”

According to polls, sparks of disagreement in the debate occasionally surfaced between Laschet and Rottgen – who are vying for second place – as Merz, the near certain winner looked on in silent confidence.

Merz s confidence may be justified, however poll watchers are seeing a convergence of candidates popularity ratings with Armin Laschet recently closing in on Merz and Rottgen.

The numbers still put Merz at the top, but his advantage is dwindling.

The fact that nearly one-third (almost 300) of the 1001 delegates to the party congress are from North Rhine-Westphalia where Armin Laschet is prime minister will certainly have a bearing on the outcome. However, his home country voters are considerably more divided regarding his person, especially compared to the unity with which Sauerland or „Merz-country” delegates see Merz as the only one capable of advancing the future of the CDU.

https://v4na.com/politika/a-nemet-trump-jo-esellyel-palyazhat-merkel-posztjara-42602/

The new CDU president will most likely be the party s candidate to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel. The stakes are not insignificant; Merz takes a completely different stance on the refugee issue than the current chancellor, and if elected, Germany s migrant-friendly policy could be completely transformed.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the party congress will be conducted online on 16 January. Although delegates will be casting their vote remotely for the successor to Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who resigned a year ago, the result will then be confirmed by a postal vote of the 1001 delegates. The final result is expected on 22 January.

https://v4na.com/politika/merkel-lehetseges-utoda-kiallt-a-menekultek-befogadasa-ellen-42996/