Merkel’s Awkward Heir May Never Live Down Brush With Extremists
- Kramp-Karrenbauer’s authority already hurt by series of gaffes
- CDU outraged many Germany by voting with far-right this week
This article is for subscribers only.
It’s 2 a.m. at a hotel bar in Hamburg when Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer spots her rival for the German chancellorship laughing with a group of reporters in the lobby.
They fall quiet for a moment. She shoots them a suspicious glance. Maybe she thinks that Armin Laschet, a powerful state premier, is briefing against her in his subtle, ironic style. If so, she’s right.