So, now Germany faces a leadership change: Angela Merkel, who has led the German nation for over 13 years, will not run again after section defeats for her party. This was not unexpected, as sentiments shifted against her policies over the last two years. Much of the changes came on the heels of her widely publicized acceptance of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees who sought safety in the EU as they fled war and repression from the Assad government's civil war.
An election will soon be held and three candidates have already appeared on the list. First on the list is Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer,, the former head of the state of Saarland. She is the current secretary-general of CDU and is popular in the party. She is often referred to as mini-Merkel. The second candidate is 38 year old Jens Spahn. He is the current health minister and the most polarizing of the three. The third candidate is 62 year old Friedrich Merz. He is part of the more conservative wing of the CDU. He is an opponent of multiculturalism and might appeal to that group of conservatives in the party.
Ms. Merkel says she will stay on until general elections in 2021, but this could change as many important decisions in the near term just might bring a call for earlier voting. The issues facing the EU, including Brexit and immigration, have brought changes in many other EU nations, including Greece and Italy. France's Pres. Macron is also treading lightly as opposition to his economic policies are opposed by more of his support base.
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