Kramp-Karrenbauer fortifies CDU chief role

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of Germany's ruling party the Christian Democratic Union, or CDU, has consolidated her status as Angela Merkel's successor at the CDU's helm, but she must tackle a range of challenges if she is to win a general election in 2021, analysts said.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, who has been widely seen as Chancellor Merkel's successor in leading the party into the next elections, urged delegates to a CDU party congress on Friday to either back her vision for Germany or speak up and challenge her at the event.

"If you are of the view that the Germany I want is not the Germany you imagine, if you are of the view that the way I want to go with you is not the way you think is the right one, then let's speak today and let's end it today, here, now," Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is also German defense minister, told the delegates.

She followed the challenge with an exhortation: "Let's roll up our sleeves here and now and make a start".

Zhao Junjie, a researcher in European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the outcome of the party gathering showed that Kramp-Karrenbauer had firmed up her prospects of being the CDU's candidate for chancellor when Merkel leaves office.

The future of Kramp-Karrenbauer's party leadership had been under speculation for months. Under her watch since last December, the CDU suffered losses in elections for the European Parliament in May and at the regional level in September.

"Kramp-Karrenbauer has a wealth of political experience and there is no better candidate than her at the moment," Zhao said. "The party delegates stated clearly their stance of supporting her, which will help reduce conflicts and strengthen solidarity within the party."

However, Zhao said that if she wants to win the 2021 national election, she would first have to deal with the political fragmentation in the country. Emerging parties, such as the far-right Alternative for Germany, made great gains in the European Parliament elections and in the regional polls. Also gaining in support are the Greens, who are especially popular among the young.

"How to help the large number of refugees that Germany has taken in with resettlement and how to cope with the country's economic recession are also challenges for her," Zhao said.

He Yun, an assistant professor at Hunan University's School of Public Management, said that Kramp-Karrenbauer bought herself a little time after the party congress speech, but she still faces a tough fight ahead to prove herself as a worthy successor to Merkel.

"Whether she can become another Angela Merkel depends not only on herself but to a large extent on whether her party is willing to unite behind her and her political alliances with other parties," she said.

The 65-year-old Merkel announced that she will not seek reelection at the 2021 national elections, and she intends to remain in office until the election.

Reuters contributed to this story.