Merkel Bloc Heads for Risky Decision on Chancellor Candidate

  • Conservative bloc could choose candidate within next few days
  • Bavarian leader Soeder’s entry sets up contest for nomination

Markus Soeder arrives at the Reichstag building following a caucus meeting of Germany's ruling coalition in Berlin, April 11.

Photographer: Liesa Johannssen-Koppitz/Bloomberg
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Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc is poised to pick the winner in a two-man showdown over its candidate to succeed her as German chancellor.

The Christian Democratic Union and its smaller Bavarian sister-party, the Christian Social Union, are holding separate leadership meetings Monday. They will help determine whether the contest is resolved amicably or results in a contested nomination, which would be unusual for an alliance that’s underpinned German political stability.