Merkel refuses to be drawn on successor question

Laschet, premier of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of the leading candidates to run as the chancellor candidate of the conservative bloc. "Armin Laschet is running and, as the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, he brings a lot of qualifications with him.

Angela Merkel refused to be drawn on whether Armin Laschet, premier of Germany's most populous state, should succeed her as chancellor, saying only that he was a candidate with many qualities. Laschet, premier of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of the leading candidates to run as the chancellor candidate of the conservative bloc. His main rival is Markus Soeder, premier of Bavaria.

"I have always said I will not get involved in the debate about a successor for the position I have or had," she said. "Armin Laschet is running and, as the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, he brings a lot of qualifications with him. But other than that I won't get involved." Merkel was speaking at a news conference with Laschet after attending a meeting of the state's cabinet on Tuesday. Last month, she gave a similar non-committal response after attending a session of the Bavarian cabinet, declining to indicate support for any candidate.