Merkel bids emotional farewell to her ruling Christian Democrats

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has given an emotional farewell speech to her ruling Christian Democrats (CDU), as she steps down as party leader. 

She hinted that she is backing Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to succeed her, praising her electoral performance as Chief Minister of Saarland. 

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer's chief rival in CDU vote is millionaire corporate lawyer Friedrich Merz.  The third candidate, health minister Jens Spahn, appears to have less



chance of winning.

Ms Merkel's speech was punctuated by applause and she got a standing ovation of more than six minutes at the end. CDU delegates at the congress in Hamburg also held up signs saying "Thanks boss". 

Despite quitting as CDU leader she plans to complete her fourth term as German chancellor, which runs until 2021. She was first elected chancellor in 2005 and is not seeking a term beyond 2021.