Germany: Merkel's favorite elected CDU leader

BERLIN (AA) - Germany's ruling Christian Democrat Union (CDU) elected Armin Laschet as its new party leader on Saturday.

The conservative-liberal politician, widely seen as Chancellor Angela Merkel's favorite for the top seat, received 521 of 992 votes.

Laschet narrowly defeated his rival Friedrich Merz, a conservative hardliner, in a run-off vote.

The 59-year-old politician is also the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state.

Known for his moderate and liberal views, Laschet is generally considered a follower of Merkel's centrist line.

Merz, on the other hand, has been a vocal critic of Merkel's open-door policy for refugees and promised to make the CDU more conservative.

The CDU's annual party congress was held online due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

As a precaution against manipulation by hackers or intelligence organizations, the CDU delegates will also send their ballots via the postal service.

The final official results of the election will be announced by Jan. 22.