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GERMANY-POLITICS-CDU
Merkel defends legacy as divided party picks new leader
HAMBURG, Dec 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday
offered a staunch defence of her moderate course during 18 years as party
leader, as her Christian Democratic Union chose between a loyal deputy and a
longtime rival to succeed her.
Accepting a lengthy standing ovation from delegates, many tearful and
holding “Thanks, boss” placards aloft, a visibly moved Merkel said the party
had won four national elections under her by holding fast to its principles.
“In difficult times we shouldn’t forget our Christian and democratic
stance,” she said.
Pointing to the rise of populism worldwide and what she called a breakdown
of shared Western values, Merkel said the order she had championed was at
risk.
“Whether it’s the rejection of multilateralism, the return to nationalism,
the reduction of international cooperation to deal-making or threatened trade
wars… hybrid warfare, destablisation of societies with fake news or the
future of our EU — we Christian Democrats must show in the face of all these
challenges what we’ve got,” she said.
The two main candidates, CDU general secretary Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer,
known as AKK, and corporate lawyer Friedrich Merz are locked in a battle over
whether to embrace or break with the veteran chancellor’s legacy.
A third contender, Health Minister Jens Spahn, 38, an outspoken critic of
Merkel’s 2015 decision to welcome more than one million asylum seekers to
Germany, is running a distant third.
– Refugee policy –
Merkel surprised the country and her party in late October when she
announced she would not seek reelection as CDU leader at the party conference
in Hamburg after a series of poll setbacks rooted in controversy over her
liberal refugee policy.
The contest’s outcome is expected to be crucial in deciding whether the
influential leader can realise her stated goal of completing her fourth term
in 2021 and then leaving politics.
“I hope we emerge from this party conference well-equipped, motivated and
united,” Merkel said. “I am confident we will succeed.”
Merkel has led Germany since 2005, and moved her party steadily toward the
political centre. More generous family leave, an exit from nuclear power and
an end to military conscription are among her signature policies.
– ‘Seeking revenge’ –
While Kramp-Karrenbauer, 56, is viewed as similar to Merkel with an even
temper and middle-of-the-road policies, Merz, 63, has become the torchbearer
for those seeking a more decisive break from the chancellor.
This week, Merz — who has insisted in the face of widespread scepticism
that he could work well with Merkel — won the backing of powerful former
finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, now the parliamentary speaker.
Both men are seen as harbouring longstanding grudges against the
chancellor, after she thwarted Schaeuble’s ambition to become German
president and Merz’s desire to remain CDU parliamentary group leader several
years ago.
“The Merkel era is palpably coming to an end,” political journalist and
AKK biographer Kristina Dunz said. “Merz could be tempted to see his revenge
and lunge for power (as soon as next year).”
National broadsheet Sueddeutsche Zeitung said Schaeuble’s move signalled
that the CDU’s long-festering divisions, thinly veiled by unity behind
Merkel, could well break out in the open after the conference.
“The CDU of the Merkel years is falling apart,” it said. “Opposing camps
are forming.”
Few observers have dared to predict how the 1,001 delegates — political
and party office holders — will vote.
– ‘Opened the floodgates’ –
AKK is believed to have Merkel’s strong backing but much will depend on
how deep and widespread the longing is for a more conservative profile.
Whoever wins will face towering challenges for the party, which is
currently drawing roughly 30 percent at the polls, far below the around 40
percent it enjoyed during Merkel’s heyday.
It has bled support to the right, in the form of the upstart anti-
immigration Alternative for Germany party, and to the resurgent Greens on the
left.
Armin Laschet, premier of Germany’s most populous state North Rhine-
Westphalia, said the CDU needed to begin projecting an image of unity ahead
of European elections next May.
“We can’t afford another year like 2018 when we fought so much,” he told
public broadcaster ZDF.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1918 hrs