Germany heads into unknown as rivals scramble to lead next governmentA close election result in Germany means that the question of who will succeed Angela Merkel is still wide openFRANKFURT - Germany headed into a period of unpredictability Monday after a close election saw both main parties claim the right to lead Europe's biggest economy, leaving the question of who will succeed Angela Merkel wide open. Western allies are watching closely, aware that domestic preoccupations could blunt Germany's role on the international stage and create a leadership vacuum in Europe. Laschet, 60, and Scholz, 63, both said their goal was to have a new government in place before Christmas. "Europe is waiting for Germany to have a new government," he said on Sunday evening. While all Germany's main parties are pro-EU, none of her would-be successors can match her political gravitas.

Source: Bangkok Post September 27, 2021 02:03 UTC