She has not been considered the "Queen of Europe" for quite some time - but now Angela Merkel has announced that she will be the CDU chairwoman and step back from politics completely. An office with the EU also plays no part in their future plans.

In Brussels, Merkel's announcement is likely to have consequences: it is bursting in the middle of a period of groundbreaking decisions, such as the issue of refugees and migration, the reform of the eurozone, Brexit or the next EU budget.

Migration opponents such as Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán or Italy's right-wing interior minister Matteo Salvini are likely to see Merkel's withdrawal as confirmation that they were right about criticizing their refugee policy. The message of the election in Hesse is that "the ruling parties in Brussels have received an epochal hammer blow," said Salvini. "The so-called rights and the Greens have increased by ten points, so nice greetings to the Merkel and the Friends of the Bundesbank."

Elsewhere in the EU, one sees the reason for Merkel's defeat just not in refugee policy. In Hesse, the CDU has not lost the most votes to the AfD, noted about the British "Daily Telegraph", but to the Greens - "the most immigration-friendly party in the country".

The chances of success for euro and migration reforms are becoming smaller

One thing seems certain: Merkel's chances of joining the EU on the migration issue have continued to fall. At the EU summit in June, she was struggling to find a so-called European solution. A solution that may never be implemented, but primarily served to pacify the dispute with the CSU and its boss Horst Seehofer. Merkel has cost her much political capital for her EU partners. Two weeks ago, again at the EU summit, she barely managed to prevent Austria's chancellor Sebastian Kurz from burying her demand for a quota for refugee distribution.

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Angela Merkel: 18 years CDU boss - a review

The chances of success for the euro reforms, which demanded French President Emmanuel Macron, are not increased by Merkel's departure on installments. A weakened Chancellor can create no acceptance and no majority in her party in the Bundestag. However, Berlin is currently on all issues of European change on the brakes anyway, says about the Green MEP Reinhard Bütikofer. "Germany can not appear much reluctant to move, even if Merkel is no longer party leader in a transitional period."

From the point of view of Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, it will be decisive who inherits Merkel from the party leadership. "If it is someone who clearly represents other European political ideas, then it will be very difficult for Merkel." Similarly expressed the CDU European politician Elmar Brok. EU issues would therefore "play a role in the selection process". However, Brok does not expect immediate effects on Brussels - "because Merkel will remain Chancellor by 2021".

No future for Merkel in Brussels

Should that happen, Brussels would have time to get used to the farewell of the eternal Chancellor. Merkel has shaped European politics over the past decade like no other Chancellor since Helmut Kohl, and in the financial and euro crisis she has temporarily held the fate of the euro in her hands. So now it crashes over losses in state elections in federal states, which can be difficult to locate on the map abroad? Or about the long-term dispute with Seehofer, who is also unknown in other EU countries? For many diplomats and officials from other EU countries that is completely incomprehensible.

In the video: "It's time for a new chapter"

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DPA

For many, Europe without Merkel is so inconceivable that the idea came up again and again at regular intervals that she could take over a high EU office after her departure as Chancellor. In European media, for example, there has been repeated talk of Merkel being succeeded as EU Council President by Poland's Donald Tusk. The Chancellor has now put an end to this already rather outlandish idea.

In Brussels, this may disappoint those who have always hoped that politicians of the size of a Merkel could give the EU greater international weight. Others will breathe again. For Merkel is considered in Brussels not only as the woman who has held Greece in the euro area - but also as the one who has then pushed through an iron austerity policy in the EU.

As a symbol of Europe's split, she was finally on the refugee and migration issue. Quite a few accuse Merkel, with their solo effort in the summer of 2015, the European-wide rise of right-wing populists at least accelerated and the EU have deeply divided.

Oettinger helps Merz

However, Brussels is far from being in power for the CDU succession - thanks to the German EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger. He is well-connected in the CDU, belongs to the presidium and enjoys especially in Merkel regularly smashed business wings of the party high reputation.

Most recently, Oettinger organized a few dates for a like-minded person in Brussels: ex-Union faction leader Friedrich Merz. Merz met in the EU capital next to Oettinger EU officials, the CDU / CSU close. It was about economic policy issues, the possible trade war with the US and Brexit.

All this is not surprising: why Merz should not be interested in these topics as a business lawyer and chairman of the supervisory board of the German spin-off of the asset manager Blackrock? "Merz is a highly political person, that was noticeable," says a participant in the round to the SPIEGEL.

It is interesting, however, how the actually completely insignificant flying visit was subsequently reported in the "Welt". Merz had wanted to inquire about Brussels' view of the Chancellor's European policy, it was said that the visit had been a "test run". Today one suspects, for what: Merz should have brought according to "Bild" newspaper immediately after Merkel's notice of withdrawal for the CDU chairmanship into play.