Merkel defends Laschet with difficulty

Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday defended Armin Laschet, her conservative runner-up, in a hard-fought poll a few weeks before the legislative elections, during a visit to flooded areas of Germany.

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Armin Laschet, Conservative camp candidate in the September 26 elections, President of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and President of North Rhine-WestphaliaHe runs with great success the largest country in Germany», said Angela Merkel during her visit to this region affected by the historic floods of July 14 and 15.

«Whoever appears to be able to lead a country like this, is able to lead Germany as chancellorShe added alongside Armin Laschet, whom the CDU named his successor after 16 years in power.

However, unlike the record-breaking chancellor – when she leaves political life after the September 26 legislative elections – Armin Laschet is in disarray in the opinion polls.

Still credited with 34% at the start of the year, the conservative CDU/CSU party collects just 20% of voting intentions, according to an ARD poll Thursday, versus 25% for the SPD’s Social Democrats and their candidate Olaf. Schulz.

Angela Merkel invests more in the home, putting her popularity at the service of the conservative leader, who is considered very unreliable even in her camp.

She had already given him strong support on August 21, during a rally in Berlin, telling herself “deeply convincedHe will succeed him in the Chancellery.

In July, Armin Laschet, 60, was hilarious days after the disaster, during a serious speech by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, which sparked outrage in the country and forced him to apologize.