Germany’s Merkel Re-elected As Conservative Party Leader

In her speech to the almost 1,000 delegates at the annual convention of the party, Merkel had committed her party to a tough federal election campaign in the coming year. “And that’s why a full veil is inappropriate in our country”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel watches the party members from the podium at the general party conference of the Christian Democratic Union, CDU, in Essen, Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016.

Last month, Dutch lawmakers voted to ban the veil in public places.

Angela Merkel’s conservatives gave her an over 11-minute standing ovation after handing her another term as party chief, but also issued a warning in re-electing her with the worst score since she became German chancellor.

But due to growing anti-migrant sentiment in the country and the arrival of one million asylum seekers in the continuing refugee crisis, her popularity has been dented.

“A situation like the one in the late summer of 2015 can not, should not and must not be repeated”, Ms Merkel said.

Washington Free Beacon reporter Elizabeth Harrington called German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open border policy to refugees “disastrous” during an appearance Tuesday night on the Fox Business Network.

“The full-face veil is not acceptable in our country”, the Independent quoted Merkel as saying.

Merkel wants to secure the backing of her conse. Three years on, there are rumblings of discontent – even within her own party – following her September 2015 decision to let in refugees fleeing war in mostly-Muslim nations, in a move that has deeply polarised Europe’s biggest economy.

It was the ninth time that Merkel had stood for leadership of the conservative party, which she has led for nearly 17 years.

“Not all of the 900,000 refugees who arrived previous year will be able to stay”, Merkel said.

Ahead of next year’s federal election, the CDU is trying to mend fences with its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which is tougher on immigration, to try to claw back support lost to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

She claimed she was convinced by CDU members who told her “you must, you must, you must do it”.

Another stint for Merkel would also be significant because a large part of the German electorate is looking for stability in uncertain times after the Brexit vote in Britain, the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the rise of populist movements in several European countries.