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BERLIN (Reuters) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dismissed concerns that resigning from the leadership of her Christian Democratic party would leave her unable to deal effectively with world leaders such as US President Donald Trump or Turkish Tayyip Erdogan.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (not photographed) at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on October 30, 2018. REUTERS / Hannibal Hanschke
At a press conference alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi who was in Berlin for a summit on Africa, Merkel said his decision not to contest the election of the party president would give him more time to struggle.
"I do not believe that the negotiating position in the international negotiations will change anything – I can even say that I have more time to focus on my duties as head of government," she said. Tuesday.
Manfred Weber, Germany's candidate for the post of leader of the European People's Party (EPP) to replace European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said Merkel's decision could free her from adopting a more visionary program for Europe.
Weber, a conservative member of the Bavarian CSU, told ZDF television that Merkel has long been a strong voice for Europe and that she can now strengthen her leadership role.
Many political experts say that domestic political tensions have prevented Merkel from advancing more quickly in a series of European reforms proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
"There is also a chance that she can lead without the pressure that all her decisions must be popular," said Weber. "We must once again have the courage to look beyond the whims of our daily politics and be a bit visionary, because the years and decades to come will not be pleasant for our continent."
Weber, a potential CSU leadership candidate, said the party clearly needed change after losing its absolute majority in the October 14 regional elections.
The leader of the current party, Horst Seehofer, who also serves as Minister of the Interior, will present proposals in mid-November. A special party congress should follow that would decide the leadership of the party, said Weber.
"Things can not continue as before. We have to work on the outcome of the elections, "he said.
Report by Thomas Escritt; Edited by Michelle Martin and Richard Chang
