Battle to be Merkel’s successor divides Germany’s CDU and CSU

Duel between Armin Laschet and Markus Soder threatens sister parties' delicate symbiosis

A heated struggle is under way between two leading German politicians over who should stand as Angela Merkel's successor as chancellor candidate in the next election, with the conservative alliance under pressure to choose between a consensual team player with a reputation for pliability or a charismatic political all-rounder in the populist mould.

After attending a meeting of the CDU/CSU's parliamentary faction on Tuesday afternoon, rivals Armin Laschet and Markus Soder emerged to say that the talks were productive and that they hoped there would be a decision by the end of the week.