Angela Merkel’s replacement as leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) was confirmed yesterday. It is expected Kramp-Karrenbauer, known as AKK, will also be put forward as Chancellor should the coalition win the next election. AKK saw off rival Freidrich Merz in a narrow party election victory yesterday. He was seen as an early victor and wanted to take the CDU party back towards the right – posing a direct conflict of opinion with Chancellor Merkel. Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer – dubbed “mini-Merkel” – has been the general secretary of the CDU for the last 11 months.
She won the second round of voting with 517 votes to Mr Merz’s 482.
As the new leader of Germany’s most important party, Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer could become the next German Chancellor in just two years time.
Analysts at Economist Intelligence Unit told Express.co.uk she would fight the rise of the far-right in Germany and across the EU.
They also said she was more “socially conservative” than her predecessor.
A spokesman said: “Before the vote, Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer gave a fiery speech arguing that the CDU should be guided by its own values and not just react to the rise of the far-right.
“Mr Merz, in contrast, presented himself as the candidate who could present a clear new profile for the CDU to combat the AfD.
“Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer is more socially conservative than Ms Merkel. She voted against gay marriage and takes a slightly tougher view on migration. But she is the continuity choice, and her political experience suggests she will be a safe pair of hands.
“Had the more right-wing Mr Merz won the CDU leadership we would have been concerned about the risk of a snap election as his position diverged from that of Ms Merkel. With Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer in charge this risk is reduced.”
Despite the slight political differences, the new leader will start her leadership in the same way as Mrs Merkel – uniting her party on the issues most important to German citizens, albeit with a slightly tougher stance.
The Economist Intelligence Unit continued: “Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer’s first task is to reunite the CDU, after the leadership election exposed the differences of opinion within its ranks.
“Her second task will be to capitalise on the energy of the leadership campaign, and boost the party’s support in the polls.
“We still see a strong chance that Ms Merkel will decide to stand down before the end of her term in 2021, but this will be on her own terms and to her chosen successor.”