Angela Merkel steps down after 18 years as CDU leader
Angela Merkel delivered an emotional speech as her Christian Democratic party met to pick her successor in Hamburg on Friday, bringing her 18-year reign to an end, according to the Independent.
Ms Merkel, 64, said in October she would leave her post as party chief but remain as chancellor of Germany until the end of the parliamentary term in 2021.
Fighting back tears as she received a standing ovation, she told those gathered: "It has been a great pleasure for me, it has been an honour."
Ms Merkel, who said she would remain neutral on her successor as party chief, added: "In times like these, we will defend our liberal views, our way of life, both at home and abroad.
"The CDU in 2018 must not look back but look forward, with new people...but with the same values."
Three frontrunners are vying to replace her in a race that will put the winner in pole position to succeed her as the country's leader.
Sometimes dubbed ‘mini Merkel’ or AKK, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, 56, is seen as the continuity candidate and is favoured by the CDU elite for her ability to unite the party and deliver election victories.