News agency dpa cited unidentified party sources as saying Merkel told an ongoing CDU leadership meeting that she’s prepared to step down as party leader but intends to remain chancellor. The mass-circulation daily Bild also reported that she said she won’t run again as party leader. For years, Merkel insisted that the chancellor should also be party leader. The Social Democrats’ leader, Andrea Nahles, demanded Sunday a “clear, binding timetable” for implementing government projects before the coalition faces an already-agreed midterm review next fall. Nahles declined to comment Monday on the reports that Merkel might step down as CDU leader.

Source: National Post October 29, 2018 07:44 UTC