Angela Merkel has confirmed that she plans to step down as leader of her conservative party after 18 years, but said she will remain German chancellor for the rest of the current parliamentary term. Angela Merkel has confirmed that she plans to step down as leader of her conservative party after 18 years, but said she will remain German chancellor for the rest of the current parliamentary term. Mrs Merkel confirmed that she will not seek any other political office after the current parliamentary term ends in 2021. Mrs Merkel talks with party secretary general Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (AP)Her fourth-term government, which took office in March, has become notorious for infighting. She said she sees “many more opportunities than risks” in her plan to hand over the leadership of her party at a December conference.

Source: Irish Independent October 29, 2018 12:55 UTC