German conservatives re-elect Angela Merkel to CDU party chair with 89.5% of vote

German Chancellor Angela Merkel won re-election as chairwoman of her Christian Democrats (CDU) on Tuesday with 89.5% of votes cast by just under 1,000 party delegates.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel won re-election as chairwoman of her Christian Democrats (CDU) on Tuesday with 89.5% of votes cast by just under 1,000 party delegates, giving her a boost as she seeks a fourth term in office next year.

German Chancellor holds an voting ticket during a party conference of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Essen, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. (AP Photo)

The endorsement fell short of the 96.7% Merkel won when she was last re-elected two years ago. Her decision last year to open Germany’s doors to some 1 million migrants sapped some grassroots support and has dented the CDU’s poll ratings.

Merkel’s lowest winning score in election as chairwoman was 88.4% in 2004. The CDU is meeting in Essen, where Merkel was first elected party chairwoman in 2000.

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