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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her 18 years at the head of the Christian Democratic Union, which meets in Hamburg to choose a new leader who will succeed him.
Ovationada stood for nearly 10 minutes at the delegates. Many were enthusiastic and carried a banner with the words "thank you, boss". Merkel, 64, said the CDU had won four national elections under his leadership while remaining firm on its principles.
"It was a great pleasure for me, an honor," he said.
In 13 years, she dominated European politics as a personality who managed the crisis and sought consensus.
"By 2018, the CDU should not look back but expect to meet new people, but with the same values," he added.
"In difficult times, we must not forget our democratic and Christian values." .
The new leader will be chosen by 1,001 delegates to vote on Friday. The winner will likely lead the party in the next federal election in October 2021.
Referring to the growth of populism in the world and what he calls the collapse of Western values, Merkel said that the order that she had always advocated "Whether it be the rejection of multilateralism, the return of nationalism, the reduction of international cooperation or the threat of commercial wars, the destabilization of fictitious societies or the emergence of the world. future of the European Union, we Christian Democrats must show what we have in front of all these challenges, "he said.
The two main candidates for the leadership of the CDU are the current secretary general of the party, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, 56, known as AKK and also known as "Merkel bis", and Attorney General Friedrich Merz, 63 years old. which proposes a turn to the right of the CDU and the country.
Health Minister Jens Spahn, 38, does not seem likely to receive the indication.
Merkel surprised the country in October by announcing that he would not seek re-election as CDU presidency at the party's annual conference following a series of regional election defeats having as a backdrop background the immigration policy of his government.
Today's decision is considered crucial in determining whether the leader will be able to end his term in 2021, and then leave politics.
"I feel grateful to be president for 18 years," said Merkel. "It was a very long time during which the CDU has had its ups and downs," he added.
"I hope we will come out of this party conference well equipped, motivated and United. "
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