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Reports have it that German Chancellor Angela Merkel will quit as head of her party, the Christian Democratic Union after almost 20 years. But she will stay on as chancellor.
Merkel, 64, will however remain as chancellor till 2021.
It was gathered that the chancellor told a CDU leadership meeting on Monday that she won’t run again as party chairwoman at a convention in December.
Merkel’s CDU-led bloc has recorded loses in regional elections this month with the chancellor blaming the setbacks on infighting in her national government.
After 18 years as party chief, the move throws open the succession race for a post that has traditionally has been the springboard for CDU chancellors.