Germany’s CDU appoints Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as new Secretary General

Summary:

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer was elected new Christian Democratic Union's (CDU) secretary general on 26 February 2018.

Further information:

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer took over from Peter Tauber, who stepped down due to health reasons. The name was proposed by Angela Merkel, which analysts assessed as a suggestion she could quickly become the preferred figure to suceed Ms Merkel in the party leadership.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer grew up in a Catholic family in Saarland. She joined the CDU in 1981 as a student and worked her way up in state-level politics. Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer became the first woman to serve as a state minister for internal affairs in 2000 and the first woman to serce as prime minister of Saarland, a position she held from 2011 to 2018.

News

Reuters, 26.02.18: Germany's Christian Democrats elect Merkel ally as general secretary https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-germany-politics-cdu-leadership/germanys-christian-democrats-elect-merkel-ally-as-general-secretary-idUKKCN1GA1YU

The Telegraph, 26.02.18: Angela Merkel fends off party rebellion but chosen successor 'mini-Merkel' emerges as new star https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/26/angela-merkel-fends-party-rebellion-chosen-successor-mini-merkel/

The Local (Germany), 19.02.18: Merkel picks ‘mini Merkel' and heir apparent for top party role https://www.thelocal.de/20180219/top-official-in-merkels-cdu-to-step-down-party-sources

Deutsche Welle, 19.02.18: Merkel taps possible successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer as next CDU secretary general https://p.dw.com/p/2suUE

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Commentary and Analysis

Spiegel Online International, 26.02.18: 'The Stability of Our Political System Is at Stake' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-possible-merkel-successor-kramp-karrenbauer-a-1195447.html

Euro|topics: February 2018: Merkel chooses her successor - successfully? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/194770/

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