Merkel to stand for fourth term as German Chancellor, CDU party sources

Merkel to stand for fourth term as German Chancellor, CDU party sources
By Joanna Gill
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told her party she will stand for a fourth term.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told her party she will stand for a fourth term.

After eight months of speculation, Merkel told a meeting of her conservative CDU party in Berlin of her intentions ahead of elections in autumn next year, according to a German news agency.

She is expected to formally announce her candidacy later on Sunday.

In power since 2005, the conservative leader is widely viewed as a stabilising force in Europe, particularly as it faces uncertainty post-Brexit as well as after the election of Donald Trump as US president.

The migrant crisis is likely to be a defining feature of campaigning. Her decision to allow around million asylum seekers into the country has dented her record. Her party suffered in recent regional elections, while the anti-immigrant Alterntive for Germany (AfD) soared.

Despite a recent dip in her popularity some 55% of Germans say they want to see her serve a fourth term. By standing again, she could end up matching the 16 year reign of Helmut Kohl, her former mentor.

(with Reuters)

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