Merkel’s Divided Party Aims to Shut Down Leadership Talk for Now

  • Demonstration of unity expected after CDU shaken by turmoil
  • Party resolutions expected to be a gauge of party unrest

An attendee stands on a an escalator ahead of the Christian Democrat Union convention in Leipzig, on Nov. 22.

Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union has a packed agenda for its two-day party convention, but the question looming over everything -- who will bid to become Germany’s next chancellor -- may take a back seat.

The party leadership is aiming to avoid any direct discussion of candidates for the country’s top job after public challenges to chairwoman Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer’s authority nearly prompted an open revolt.