Merkel Fires Roettgen After Worst Result in Biggest State
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Chancellor Angela Merkel fired Norbert Roettgen, the federal environment minister who led her Christian Democratic Union to its worst-ever result in an election in Germany’s most populous state.
Merkel said that she contacted President Joachim Gauck today and proposed that Roettgen “be relieved of his duties” as a minister “to make possible a new start with personnel this evening.” Roettgen will be replaced by Peter Altmaier, the deputy CDU floor leader, Merkel said.