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Kramp-Karrenbauer, simply known as AKK, became the head of the CDU in 2018. Many have considered her to be Merkel's possible successor as the next head of the government.
According to a Reuters' source, leader of the governing Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU), Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer won't be running for chancellor in the 2021 elections. At the same time, the agency noted that Merkel wanted her to remain German Defence Minister.
The news comes after a political crisis in Thuringia, where State Premier Thomas Kemmerich won local elections gaining votes not only from the CDU but also from the right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Christian Democratic Union, CDU party leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer gives a statement after a Christian Social Union party meeting at “Kloster Seeon” in Seeon, Germany, January 5, 2019
Merkel harshly criticised Kemmerich, claiming that support from AfD was "unforgivable" - despite the politician not actually being a CDU member and belonging to the centrist Free Democratic Party (FDP). The chancellor also stated that "the result must be reversed", adding that the vote was "a bad day for democracy".
The head of Thuringia then resigned on Saturday, while CDU, its sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democrats (SPD) called on Thuringia to hold new elections, reiterating their decision to refuse to cooperate with AFD at "all levels" across the country.
However, a poll held on Friday showed support for the CDU in Thuringia decreasing by some 10% following the scandal - which is almost a half of the party votes.
(SPUTNIK)
