Merkel’s Faltering Heir Upends Germany’s Election Predictability

Armin Laschet’s campaign is struggling and that’s turning the race for chancellor into a toss-up. 

Photographer: Jens Schlueter/AFP/Getty Images 

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At a campaign stop outside a picturesque market town in Saxony, Armin Laschet was faced with a very delicate political dilemma for a German politician: what to put on his bratwurst.

With cameras clicking, the faltering favorite to replace Angela Merkel as chancellor hesitated before picking ketchup, while a local ally from his Christian Democratic party subtly noted Saxony’s custom was to take mustard.