Here's a look at what's ailing the Christian Democratic Union in the twilight of Merkel's reign. The party "is floundering", the conservative daily Die Welt concluded. In May's European Parliament elections, the CDU lost more than seven percentage points. Seizing the opportunity, Merz has doubled down on his attacks against Merkel by accusing her of a "lack of leadership". Spahn said his party "needs a new team... one that bravely and confidently goes its own way and whose reference point can no longer be Angela Merkel."

Source: The Local November 19, 2019 08:37 UTC