Laschet urges German conservative bloc to unite after succession rift

German chancellor candidate Armin Laschet urged his conservative bloc to unite after a damaging rift over who should succeed Angela Merkel if they want to preserve a narrow margin in polls over the Greens five months before September's election.

"It is important that the CDU/CSU enter this election campaign as one team," Laschet, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) told a news conference after his rival and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party withdrew his candidacy to lead the bloc. "The CDU will not win this election without the CSU, and the opposite is also true."