[ad_1]
Merkel stepped down control of the Christian Democratic Union in December, leaving her protégé Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer with the responsibility to lead. She promised to remain chancellor until the next general election, in 2021, when she had already said that the role of the party leader and the Chancellor went hand in hand. During a visit to Luxembourg today, Ms Merkel decided to dismiss the critics and ask her to step down.
Aged 64, she strengthened her leading position in Germany by saying she was ready to remain chancellor until 2021.
She added that she should continue as Chancellor to carry out the mandate entrusted to her by the voters in the last elections of 2017.
Merkel made the remark at a press conference with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who recalled the EU's position that negotiations on the Brexit divorce agreement will not be reopened.
Ms Merkel said that the EU should "do everything possible to organize a Brexit in the rules", but added that the withdrawal agreement could not be renegotiated.
She added: "It's about ensuring as much security as possible and we both feel compelled to do everything for an agreement, but it must be a fair deal that works in practice and we still have work to do. "
Bettel also ruled out further talks on Theresa May's decried deal, which was overwhelmingly rejected by MEPs last month.
He said: "It is not possible to find a better result.
"The priority is to protect the integrity of the EU's internal market and to minimize the effects of Brexit on citizens."
Ms Merkel was on a one – day trip to the Grand Duchy before Mr Bettel went to Madrid to meet with the Spanish Prime Minister at war, Pedro Sanchez.
Sanchez convened an emergency cabinet meeting later this week before speculating on a quick general election.
During her stay in Luxembourg, Ms Merkel was welcomed on Place Clairefontaine with military honors.
Later in the day, she met Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.
Source link
