Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history.

It is the second attempt in a month to form a working government in the former East German state, after CDU MPs there unleashed an earthquake in national politics by voting with the far-right AfD in February.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angela-merkels-party-in-crisis-after-heir-quits-over-far-right-row-279866">Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row</a>

Amid the national outrage, the liberal candidate elected during the first vote on February 5 stepped down, leaving the state rudderless.

But more significantly, the apparent cooperation of CDU politicians with the far-right triggered the departure of Merkel's designated successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and sparked a new leadership contest for the German chancellor's party.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/far-left-german-mps-accuse-merkel-over-soleimani-killing-283183">Far-left German MPs accuse Merkel over Soleimani killing</a>

The race to a new CDU leadership election on April 25 is a fresh struggle for control between supporters of the chancellor's centrist course and those who believe the party must tack right.

But so far none has offered a convincing answer to the CDU's conundrum in Thuringia, squeezed between the extremes of left and right.

Former state premier Bodo Ramelow of the far left is now up against far-right firebrand Bjoern Hoecke, with Merkel's conservatives once again the reluctant kingmakers.

Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history.

Lawmakers in eastern German state Thuringia will try again to elect a new state premier Wednesday, re-running a vote that sank Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Social Union (CDU) party into what has been described as the biggest crisis in its history. It is the second attempt in a month to form a working government in the former East German state, after CDU MPs there unleashed an earthquake in national politics by voting with the far-right AfD in February. Also read: Angela Merkel's party in crisis after 'heir' quits over far right row Amid the national outrage, the liberal candidate elected during the first vote on February 5 stepped down, leaving the state rudderless. But more significantly, the apparent cooperation of CDU politicians with the far-right triggered the departure of Merkel's designated successor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and sparked a new leadership contest for the German chancellor's party. Also read: Far-left German MPs accuse Merkel over Soleimani killing The race to a new CDU leadership election on April 25 is a fresh struggle for control between supporters of the chancellor's centrist course and those who believe the party must tack right. But so far none has offered a convincing answer to the CDU's conundrum in Thuringia, squeezed between the extremes of left and right. Former state premier Bodo Ramelow of the far left is now up against far-right firebrand Bjoern Hoecke, with Merkel's conservatives once again the reluctant kingmakers.

Angela Merkel's party in crucible as Thuringia votes again

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Angela Merkel's party in crucible as Thuringia votes again