German Social Democrats beat conservatives in vote to decide Merkel successor

Social Democrats (SPD) ahead – projected results SPD’s Scholz claims clear mandate for pragmatic government But conservative Laschet also vows to seek coalition Chancellor Angela Merkel is not seeking a fifth term Germany’s Social Democrats narrowly won Sunday’s national election, projected results showed, and claimed a “clear mandate” to lead a government for the first

Merkel rejects deputy’s claim he is continuity candidate for chancellor

Outgoing leader wades into election fray as Olaf Scholz says his party is more likely to uphold Merkel’s legacy Angela Merkel has waded into the fray of Germany’s election campaign by dismissing her centre-left vice-chancellor’s attempt to model himself as her continuity candidate, as her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) tries to revive its flagging fortunes