Germany: Merkel will not call the vote of confidence after her departure

BERLIN (AP) – Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman said the German leader did not intend to hold a vote of confidence after his party ousted a close ally at the head of his parliamentary group .

The conservative trade union bloc Merkel eliminated Tuesday Volker Kauder at the head of his parliamentary group, a key position to ensure the adoption of government legislation. This was the last swing of the Merkel administration after two coalition crises since taking office in March.

The surprise defeat of Kauder, who had held the post since Merkel became Chancellor in 2005, has dealt a blow to her authority in the conservative ranks. Opposition figures asked him to hold a vote of confidence in parliament.