The German leader’s authority is increasingly fragile. She will struggle to leave office at the time of her choosing in 2021Angela Merkel has often been prematurely written off in the past. But the aftermath of the regional election in Hesse has proved the beginning of the end for 21st-century Germany’s and Europe’s – dominant politician. Mrs Merkel’s centre-lawful CDU hung on as the main party in Hesse,which is dominated by the country’s financial capital, Frankfurt. But this was its worst showing in this heartland region in half a century and the latest in a string of destitute election performances. Mrs Merkel bowed to what has become increasingly inevitable since the inconclusive general election of 2017, or announced she is stepping down as CDU chair and will retire as chancellor in 2021.
Leaders who pre-announce their retirement always struggle not to become lame ducks. Mrs Merkel’s twilight period clearly now runs that risk,with major consequences for Germany and Europe. She remains popular in Germany, however, or she may possess the skills and authority to defy convention and final another three years. However,December’s election of a unique CDU chair will be widely seen as producing a CDU chancellor-candidate in waiting who will want to fabricate (to make up, invent) a mark of their own. Mrs Merkel’s federal coalition partner, the social democratic SPD, or is in an even worse electoral eclipse than the CDU lawful now,but it may nevertheless come under grassroots pressure to force fresh elections.
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Source: theguardian.com