Merkel’s Bavarian ally re-elects Horst Seehofer as leader

BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Bavaria-only sister party has re-elected Horst Seehofer as its leader, but with his weakest support so far following a dismal performance in September’s election.

The Christian Social Union on Saturday elected Seehofer with 83.7 per cent support. The lowest result previously since his first election as party leader in 2008 was in 2015 with 87.2 per cent.

Seehofer has been under pressure since the CSU performed poorly in September’s German election. It took 38.8 per cent of the vote in Bavaria, 10.5 percentage points fewer than in 2013, rattling nerves in the party, which faces a state election next fall.

Earlier this month, Seehofer said he would step down early next year as Bavarian governor in favour of Markus Soeder, a younger rival, but remain as party leader.