Berlin - Arab Today
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is widely expected to announce later whether she will run for a fourth term as chancellor in next year's general election.
Germans have been waiting for months for clarity on whether Merkel -who has been in power since 2005 - will make an anticipated run for re-election, according to the (dpa).
On Saturday, her deputy, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, said: "We expect that Merkel will say on Sunday what everyone knows: that she will lead the CDU Christian Democratic Union in the next election campaign." Such a decision would come against the backdrop of political turbulence across Europe, in the form of Britain's decision to leave the European Union and the rise of populist movements.
The head of Europe's biggest economy remained tight-lipped - as she has throughout the speculation over her future - saying she would announce her decision "when the time is right." The political pressure is on Merkel's CDU, which has been losing votes to the right-wing, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD is expected to enter the federal parliament, or Bundestag, for the first time in next year's election.
The CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) - whose support for Merkel's candidacy is crucial - is also holding a meeting Sunday and is expected to issue a reaction should Merkel announce her decision.
Source: QNA