Politics

Merkel urges Germans to vote for CDU candidate Laschet

Berlin, Sep 7 (EFE).- German Chancellor Angela Merkel Tuesday called on voters to back Armin Laschet from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) as her successor in the upcoming federal elections

In what was likely her last speech before the Bundestag lower house of Parliament, the outgoing chancellor said that Laschet, premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany’s biggest regions, represents moderation and centrism.

“It does not matter who governs this country,” said Merkel ahead of the September 26 vote, in which she will not seek re-election.

Merkel said that Germans would have to choose either a government led by the conservatives and Laschet or by a possible coalition between the Greens and the Social Democrats (SPD) that “at least does not exclude” collaborating with The Left party.

The socialist The Left rejects NATO membership, as well as other German EU commitments.

Merkel added that such a coalition could have consequences on Germany’s membership in Western alliances, impact economic policy and upset the country’s future.

On Sunday, Merkel, in office since 2005, voiced her support for Laschet, who ranked as the second favorite in recent opinion polls, behind finance minister and SPD candidate Olaf Scholz.

Last week, a German election poll program on public television placed the SDF on top with 25% of the vote, and the CDU trailing behind. The Greens, led by Annalena Baerbock came in third with 17%. EFE

jam-gc/smq/lv

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