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The outgoing CDU chairwoman Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer described her withdrawal as "correct".
In her speech at the beginning of the digital CDU party congress, she recalled the situation after the state election in Thuringia in spring 2019.
"After the events in Thuringia, our CDU found itself in a difficult existential situation," said Kramp-Karrenbauer.
“It wasn't just a regional issue, it was the soul of our party.
As the party leader, I felt that I no longer had enough authority to get the CDU through this crisis. "
On her announcement that she would not run as candidate for chancellor and withdraw from the party leadership, the 58-year-old said: "Yes, this step was difficult, but it was carefully considered and it was the right one." She knows that they are the ones who have chosen them , so disappointed.
"That hurts, even today," she said.