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Angela Merkel shakes hands with Norbert Roettgen during a ceremony at Schloss Bellevue palace in May 2012 in Berlin. Getty Images
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The three candidates for the chairmanship of the CDU, Norbert Roettgen, Armin Laschet, and Friedrich Merz. AP Photo
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Friedrich Merz delivers a speech at the political Ash Wednesday meeting of the CDU in Apolda, eastern Germany. AFP
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Norbert Roettgen arrives for a meeting with the outgoing leader of the party and other candidates. AFP
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Armin Laschet gives a speech during the party's annual congress in Leipzig. AFP
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Friedrich Merz speaks while Armin Laschet and Norbert Roettgen watch on during a live-streamed debate at CDU headquarters. Getty Images
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A view of the live debate at the party's headquarters in Berlin. Reuters
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks on stage during the party's annual congress in Leipzig. AFP
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Angela Merkel looks on at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin. AP Photo
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Angela Merkel and Armin Laschet visit the Ruhr Conference in August 2020 in Essen. Getty Images
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Friedrich Merz and Angela Merkel speak at the CDU party congress in December 2003 in Leipzig. Getty Images
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Angela Merkel shakes hands with Norbert Roettgen during a ceremony at Schloss Bellevue palace in May 2012 in Berlin. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5JUIE42UGNB4UBQXJYZDPDZYTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=17c346f6b96548939decb38a6e2bf780e096c3cd016b5db7f601855c9268e26d&width=400&height=225)
The three candidates for the chairmanship of the CDU, Norbert Roettgen, Armin Laschet, and Friedrich Merz. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E4F5DEMX554QPUKGZIWU4HPNCM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2fb351d38db353fe71ba59599e74b269161cbe1fe3b4edfec87cb74d8f9a30bc&width=400&height=225)
Friedrich Merz delivers a speech at the political Ash Wednesday meeting of the CDU in Apolda, eastern Germany. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CDZX5LJAMEKFV76NKLQUMOPQFU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7fbdea2478674fe01308e73c9d0e5404fa7ec33ffdf8937b6488d01cf796e1ef&width=400&height=225)
Norbert Roettgen arrives for a meeting with the outgoing leader of the party and other candidates. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMXFW2B35Q4XATRBAOXHCODHVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=13570f84a3561d825f1a339ea4a056f3b505072504a76771e6cefdcf575942fb&width=400&height=225)
Armin Laschet gives a speech during the party's annual congress in Leipzig. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SDKDSOOBJKQ4U7Q4YXGZCTKOJA.jpg?smart=true&auth=483d6c145ad536c9159c1715acbf2680ec90902284579835870e86eeb0264e72&width=400&height=225)
Friedrich Merz speaks while Armin Laschet and Norbert Roettgen watch on during a live-streamed debate at CDU headquarters. Getty Images
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A view of the live debate at the party's headquarters in Berlin. Reuters
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks on stage during the party's annual congress in Leipzig. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YMYTY3MYAMJ4XJUZSM5NMUADYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fcee99d8f4c93df7afbe46bb9c5549e3a141f6a14cd4a2ec5fe6a27f56436c9b&width=400&height=225)
Angela Merkel looks on at the parliament Bundestag in Berlin. AP Photo
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Angela Merkel and Armin Laschet visit the Ruhr Conference in August 2020 in Essen. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ORUWZ6IVVOXCVIYB6SH546CDM4.jpg?smart=true&auth=6b0f3ef1f1ae8695a762a19e7f411bcb30499eebe670bf1b6e70210fa2c9e6dd&width=400&height=225)
Friedrich Merz and Angela Merkel speak at the CDU party congress in December 2003 in Leipzig. Getty Images
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Angela Merkel shakes hands with Norbert Roettgen during a ceremony at Schloss Bellevue palace in May 2012 in Berlin. Getty Images
Three contenders battle to capture Angela Merkel's job
Contest to replace the German chancellor as 15-year rule draws to a close
![Arthur Scott-Geddes](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F87a4cdf0-595f-4f13-876b-292b3d90c767.png?smart=true&auth=dc8f91509dcd8e60a42885e9c07896af781d21ec88db319dc8022d2f55481bcf&width=70&height=70)
Arthur Scott-Geddes
14 January, 2021
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