I’m no mini Merkel

ANGELA Merkel applauds the new leader of Germany’s Christian Democrats – her protege and likely replacement as Chancellor.

However Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer denies accusations she is just a “mini Merkel”.

The 56-year-old told her party’s congress in Hamburg: “I have read a lot about what I am and who I am: ‘mini’, a copy, simply ‘more of the same’.

“Dear delegates, I stand before you as I am and as life made me and I am proud of that.”

The new leader has already distanced herself from Mrs Merkel by voting for quotas for women on corporate boards and taking a tougher line on Russia.

She defeated rival Friedrich Merz in a delegate vote run-off.

Earlier, an emotional Mrs Merkel bowed out as leader, saying: “It has been a great pleasure for me it has been an honour.”