German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will run for fourth terms in office, members of her conservative party have said.
General elections are expected in Germany in autumn next year. Mrs Merkel’s poll ratings have slipped since the height of her popularity but she retains wide support. She suffered an embarrassing regional election defeat earlier this year and is being challenged by the populist right-wing AfD party. Mrs Merkel, 62, said after the polls that she accepted responsibility for defeats in several states. She also conceded that her open-door policy towards migrants – embodied in her phrase “wir schaffen das” (we can manage it) – was a factor in several state elections.
A poll for one Sunday newspaper (in German) found that 55% of Germans would vote for her. Mrs Merkel’s approval ratings have gone up and down in recent months as a result of her refugee policy but they remain the envy of other world leaders.
Chancellor Angela Merkel to seek fourth term
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will run for fourth terms in office, members of her conservative party have said. General elections are expected…