Germany's Merkel expresses support for Laschet as successor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed full support for Armin Laschet, the center-right Union bloc’s candidate hoping to succeed her as chancellor in this month’s German election

BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed full support Sunday for Armin Laschet, the center-right Union bloc’s candidate who is hoping to succeed her as chancellor in this month’s German national election. Merkel and Laschet on Sunday toured the town of Hagen and another region in North Rhine-Westphalia state that were badly damaged by flooding in July. Laschet is also the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia, a western state that is the country's most populous. “Armin Laschet leads this biggest state of Germany very successfully,” Merkel told reporters in Hagen. “Somebody who can lead such a state can also lead Germany as chancellor.” Germany’s parliamentary election takes place on Sept. 26. Merkel, who led the Union bloc to four election victories, said in 2018 that she would not seek another term. She has presided over the European Union's biggest economy since 2005.