Intra-, inter-party rifts open up ahead of Merkel's leaving

GERMANY faces fresh wrangling over the direction of the dominant Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after Armin Laschet's victory as party chairman left open deep differences on policies after Chancellor Angela Merkel retires.

The pro-Merkel North Rhine-Westphalia prime minister prevailed narrowly in a Jan 16 digital CDU congress over Friedrich Merz, his conservative free-market rival, who signalled defiance in defeat. The outcome increases the chances that the swashbuckling Bavaria leader Markus Soder will fight and win September's general election.

The popular Bavarian prime minister, chairman of the CDU's Christian Social Union sister party, is emphasising that he remains a strong contender to be the CDU/CSU September chancellor candidate.