Merkel's coalition at odds over next presidential candidate
The three have been wrangling for months over who to nominate as a potential successor to President Joachim Gauck
German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel (L), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) Horst Seehofer are divided over who to nominate as a potential successor to President Joachim Gauck
Recommended articles
"There is no agreement," a source close to the negotiations told AFP after talks between Merkel, who heads the Christian Democrats (CDU), and the leaders of the other two parties in her right-left grand coalition ended without a breakthrough.
German media said Merkel's discussions with her Bavarian ally Horst Seehofer of the CSU and Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democrats would resume next weekend.
The three have been wrangling for months over who to nominate as a potential successor to President Joachim Gauck, 76, who announced in June was stepping down due to his advancing age.
ADVERTISEMENT
The role is largely ceremonial, with the president traditionally seen as a figure who transcends party politics and serves as a kind of moral arbiter for the nation.
But with German parties shifting into campaign mode, the succession discussions have turned into a display of political power.
Outspoken vice-chancellor and economy minister Gabriel ratcheted up tensions two weeks ago when he unexpectedly declared popular Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the SPD as his party's preferred candidate.
The move blindsided Merkel and Seehofer, as the coalition partners had earlier agreed to put forward a "consensus candidate" who had cross-party support.
It also raised the pressure on the CDU/CSU to come up with equally high-profile names for position, with German media citing conservative heavyweights Wolfgang Schaeuble, the finance minister, and Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen as possible contenders.
ADVERTISEMENT
With the conservative bloc unlikely to agree to an SPD candidate, Seehofer told local media that he hoped Gabriel was still open to other suggestions.
The economy minister himself told the newspaper group RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland after Sunday's talks that "an agreement was not off the table".
The wrangling comes at a sensitive time for Merkel, who is expected to run for a fourth term next September but who has been politically weakened by her contentions open-door policy for refugees.
If no agreement can be reached, the conservative allies and the SPD could possibly each field their own candidates.
The new president will be elected on February 12 by members of parliament and delegates from Germany's 16 federal states.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
JAMB releases 531 more UTME results, cautions against fake score claims
Landmark’s post about being open for business after demolition mess sparks reactions
Korean Ambassador vows to support Nigeria in fighting insecurity
Enugu Govt to implement community service sentences to deter crime
List of transactions exempted from new CBN’s 0.5% cybersecurity levy
Man trapped in drainage while clearing debris prompts LASEMA search
Unknown hoodlums abduct travelers on Sagamu-Benin expressway, killing one
Enugu Band A feeders enjoy reduced tariff from ₦225/kWh to ₦206.80
Presidency confirms Atiku's allegation over Tinubu's son's connection in Lagos-Calabar highway contract
Pulse Sports
Chelsea set to offer Romelu Lukaku and cash for Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen
Mikel Obi: Super Eagles legend goes viral speaking Hausa
Anthony Joshua: Nigerian-born boxer teams up with Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Cuppy in France
ADVERTISEMENT
