Von der Leyen, who had served as Defence Minister since 2013, is stepping down to become the first woman to hold the EU's top job after MEPs narrowly backed her in a Tuesday vote. The surprise announcement for her replacement came after various media reports stated that Health Minister Jens Spahn was to take the Defence Minister position. READ ALSO: Germany's von der Leyen elected as first woman to lead European Commission'Fast replacement'The move has been welcomed in political circles. Before Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is widely seen as the chancellor's chosen heir, was announced as the new minister, Merkel had said there would be a "very fast replacement". "The defence ministry, the defence minister, hold command and military authority.

Source: The Local July 17, 2019 07:30 UTC