Angela Merkel announces retirement from CDU party leadership

Summary:

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on 29 October 2018 her retirement from leadership of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). This would not mean immediate resignation from the German Chancellery, given Ms Merkel's intention to conclude her mandate.

Further information:

Angela Merkel indicated her wish to continue as German Chancellor until the end of her mandate in 2021. She stated she would not seek re-election in any of her existing posts, which meant she would step down as CDU leader in December 2018.

Ms Merkel performed as CDU chairwoman since 2000 and German Chancellor since 2005. Her mandates featured a fundamental role in the various challenges facing Germany and the European Union (EU). Analysts questioned the role of Germany in the EU going forward.

News

BBC News, 29.10.18: Angela Merkel to quit as CDU party leader https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46016377

EurActiv, 29.10.18: The end of the Chancellor after the Hesse election https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/the-dawn-of-the-chancellor-after-the-hesse-election/

Deutsche Welle, 30.10.18: Europe 'Europe without Angela Merkel is possible' https://www.dw.com/en/europe-without-angela-merkel-is-possible/a-46081728

The Guardian, 29.10.18: German chancellor Angela Merkel will not seek re-election in 2021 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/29/angela-merkel-wont-seek-re-election-as-cdu-party-leader

Reuters, 29.10.18: Merkel confirms she won't seek re-election to CDU party chair https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKS8N1SP027

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Commentary and Analysis

Euro|topics, October 2018: What happens after Merkel? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/209083/

EurActiv, 30.10.18: Merkel’s move poses risk of paralysis for the EU, analysts say https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/merkels-move-poses-risk-of-paralysis-for-the-eu-analysts-say/

Politico, 29.10.18: The long, painful end of Angela Merkel https://www.politico.eu/article/the-long-painful-end-of-germany-cdu-angela-merkel/

Politico, 29.10.18: Merkel’s twilight heralds German turmoil https://www.politico.eu/article/merkels-end-cdu-chancellor-twilight-heralds-german-turmoil-hesse-election-results/

Politico, 31.10.18: Why Europe still needs Merkel https://www.politico.eu/article/what-angela-merkels-german-chancellor-departure-means-for-europe-germany/

Carnegie Europe: What Angela Merkel’s Departure Means for Germany and Its Allies https://carnegieeurope.eu/2018/10/31/what-angela-merkel-s-departure-means-for-germany-and-its-allies-pub-77634

The New York Times, 01.11.18: 2 Views of Angela Merkel’s Legacy: Stoic Leadership, and Economic Malpractice https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/business/angela-merkel-economics-populism.html

Open Europe: Merkel is on her way out – what now? https://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/merkel-is-on-her-way-out-what-now/

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