HAMBURG—Germany’s Christian Democrats elected Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Dec. 7 to replace Angela Merkel as party leader, a decision that moves her into the pole position to succeed Europe’s most influential leader as chancellor.
Kramp-Karrenbauer, 56, is Merkel’s protege and was the continuity candidate favored by the party elite. She won the leadership with 517 votes of 999 votes cast by delegates. Her rival, Friedrich Merz, won 482 votes in a run-off.
