Kramp-Karrenbauer succeeds Merkel as German CDU leader

Germany's Christian Democrats elected Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (pictured) on Friday to replace Angela Merkel as party leader, a decision that moves her into pole position to succeed Europe's most influential leader as chancellor. Kramp-Karrenbauer, 56, is Merkel's protege and was the continuity candidate favoured by the party elite. She won the leadership with 517 votes out of 999 votes cast by delegates. Her rival, Friedrich Merz, won 482 votes. A former state premier in Saarland, where she led a three-way coalition, KrampKarrenbauer has a reputation for uniting support across the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).