Germany's presumptive next leader Friedrich Merz has an "absolute will to power," former chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday, reported dpa.
Merkel's comments came one day after her centre-right party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), agreed a coalition with the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party, paving the way for Merz to finally reach the pinnacle of German politics.
The pair were one-time rivals for the leadership of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, with Merkel winning an internal power struggle in the early 2000s before becoming chancellor for 16 years.
"What stood between us was the simple fact, which comes up quite often in life, that we both wanted to be boss," she told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
Relations between the two heavyweights were reportedly frosty for years after Merkel forced Merz to step down as parliamentary leader in 2002.
Merz made a political comeback after Merkel's retirement, and the two were seen interacting warmly at the former chancellor's 70th birthday party last summer.
While she criticized his actions during the campaign for February's parliamentary elections, Merkel reportedly texted Merz to congratulate him on his victory.
- Germany
- Angela Merkel
- Friedrich Merz
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
