A shocking development in Thuringia brings down the Christian Democrats’ leader. Who will now succeed Angela Merkel?
GERMAN POLITICS is in disarray after the sudden announcement that Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of the ruling centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), intends to resign. On February 10th Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer said she would quit her role as party chairwoman and not seek the CDU’s nomination to be chancellor-candidate at the next general election, due in autumn 2021. In 2018 Angela Merkel had vacated the CDU leadership for Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer, hoping to give her an orderly transition to the chancellery. But a series of gaffes throughout 2019 had left Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer looking vulnerable. Now a fiasco in the small east German state of Thuringia has tipped her over the edge.
Last October an election in the state had delivered a majority of seats to parties of the hard left and right, making it difficult to form a coalition. Amid complicated parliamentary manoeuvring, on February 5th Thomas Kemmerich, leader of a small liberal party, was elected state premier with votes from the CDU and the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD). No state leader had ever relied on AfD support to take office, and there was an immediate backlash in Berlin. Mrs Merkel declared the result “unforgivable” and demanded Thuringia hold new elections. The Social Democrats (SPD), the CDU’s partner in national government, hinted it might walk out of the coalition. Thousands demonstrated, in Berlin and elsewhere, chanting anti-fascist slogans.
Mr Kemmerich resigned within days, but inside the CDU the damage was done. Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer advertised her own impotence by announcing that she had urged her colleagues in Thuringia not to vote for Mr Kemmerich, to no effect. Mrs Merkel’s interventions only made her protégée look weaker; as party business, Thuringia should have been Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer’s problem to solve. Even after Mr Kemmerich’s resignation the gridlock in Thuringia presented an almost-impossible challenge, for the alternative premier was Bodo Ramelow of Die Linke, a far-left party with which the CDU also rules out co-operating. There, and in other eastern states, the CDU’s firewall against both far left and far right appeared to be under challenge from local party bigwigs. Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer saw that as a terminal affront to her leadership.
But she was also unhappy about Mrs Merkel’s decision in 2018 to split the roles of CDU leadership and chancellor-candidate, which she suggested had weakened the party. The search for a successor may help resolve that. The next CDU leader, who should be chosen by the summer (Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer will remain in charge until then), will be well placed to lead the party into the 2021 election. Potential candidates include Armin Laschet, who runs North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s largest state; Friedrich Merz, a pro-business former CDU parliamentary leader; and Jens Spahn, the young health minister. (Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer defeated the latter two for the leadership in 2018.) Markus Söder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, will be watching closely; at general elections the two parties propose a joint candidate to be chancellor, and Mr Söder may have an interest. Despite the CDU’s woes, this candidate will have the best chance of succeeding Mrs Merkel, probably in an alliance with the newly popular Greens. The race to succeed Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer will thus become a proxy battle over Germany’s future.
What conclusions should be drawn from this debacle? First, Mrs Merkel’s careful succession plans lie in ruins, diminishing the chancellor’s authority yet further. Second, German politics are likely to remain inward-looking for the best part of two years; bad news for the French and others who had hoped that Germany’s presidency of the EU Council, in the second half of 2020, might help unlock some deadlocked European problems. Third, fragmenting politics and strong extremes are upending Germany’s traditional parties. Despite its crowing over the CDU’s woes this week, the SPD, Germany’s other Volkspartei (big-tent party), is in even worse shape. Amid such chaos even the continued survival of the national coalition is not assured. The aftershocks from the Thuringian earthquake have proved stronger than anyone could have imagined.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
