Merkel’s Succession in Disarray With Bloc Split Over Nominee
- Bavarian conservative party snubs CDU to back Markus Soeder
- CSU’s move sets up a tense showdown with Armin Laschet
Markus Soeder arrives at the CSU party headquarters in Munich, on April 12
Photographer: Christof Stache/AFP/Getty Images
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Angela Merkel’s succession took a dramatic turn as the parties in her conservative alliance split their recommendations for the bloc’s chancellor candidate, setting up a tense showdown just months before national elections.
Bavaria’s Christian Social Union backed its chairman Markus Soeder, snubbing the larger CDU, which endorsed its leader, Armin Laschet, just hours earlier.