Merkel: I do indeed distance myself from the CDU presidency

Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has now also said that she renounces her CDU presidency after the massive loss of votes in the elections in the state of Hessen on Sunday.

Merkel said at a press conference after a meeting of the party leadership that she no longer wants to participate as a top candidate at the next Bundestag election, scheduled for 2021. She also said she is no longer looking for another political office.