HAMBURG, Germany, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday called for party solidarity in the farewell speech as the chair of her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Merkel began her address with the motto of the party conference "Bring together. Lead together", hinting the party should stay united despite the fierce competition vying for her seat.
"Our liberal values must be defended, internally and externally," Merkel said, adding tough challenges are ahead, including European unity, Brexit and climate changes.
Merkel, who has been the party leader for 18 years, in late October made the decision not to rerun as party head, after two severe setbacks in state elections this year -- which she avoided to mention in her address.
Her retreat left a power vacuum, and candidates, including general secretary of CDU Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, lawyer Friedrich Merz and the health minister Jens Spahn, have been struggling to fill.
On Friday afternoon, 1,001 party representatives at the party conference will vote to decide who will take the position.
Merkel's decision broke a long party tradition that the posts of CDU chair and chancellor are held by the same person.
Local analysts said Merkel's decision was a sign that she wants to withdraw from politics, and her promise to complete her term as chancellor was meant to ensure a smooth transition of power.
"I don't need to be party chairman to remain bound to this party. And I'm still chancellor," Merkel said.
Merkel also stressed that CDU should return to "past traditions and attitudes", which is largely interpreted by local media as her hints that she favors Kramp-Karrenbauer as her successor.
