Merkel to Seek 4th Term as Germanys Leader.
BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, under siege domestically and widely seen as a pillar of Western liberalism, will stand for a fourth term next year.
Since the election of Donald J. Trump as president in the United States, speculation had mounted that Ms. Merkel would bow to pressure to stand for election again and uphold liberal values in a world transformed by Mr. Trump’s victory and Britain’s vote last summer to leave the European Union.
Ms. Merkel’s decision was reported by the German news media and confirmed by a lawmaker from her Christian Democratic party . Party leaders were meeting on Sunday, and Ms. Merkel was due to hold a news conference later in the day. . .
Next month, Italy votes on constitutional reforms that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi considers crucial to his country’s modernity. Austria will choose a president in an election plagued by delays, and may see the first far-right politician elected as head of state in modern Europe.
The Netherlands, France and Germany all hold key elections next year, with the ballot in France in particular being closely watched as a bellwether for the strength of populism as embodied by the National Front of Marine Le Pen.'>>>
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/world/europe/angela-merkel-germany.html?
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