Angela Merkel’s designated successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said she would quit her role as head of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union following a regional election debacle.
The party was heavily criticised after a governor won an election in the eastern state of Thuringia with the help of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The new governor, Thomas Kemmerich, said he would step down just one day after taking office, after a national outcry following the election. German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the election.
Kramp-Karrenbauer said she would organise a leadership contest in the summer, will continue to prepare the party before giving up the chairmanship. More details are expected to come later in the day.