Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stepped back from the policy group linked to her center-right Christian Democrats.
“I have simply outgrown this role,” Merkel said, according to people close to her, German news outlet Der Spiegel reported Friday.
In late summer, Norbert Lammert, chairman of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), wanted to convince Merkel to run for the organization’s board. Merkel not only declined the offer, but she also left the CDU-affiliated think tank altogether.
After being in office as chancellor for 16 years, Merkel retired from politics in 2021. Instead, she said she would try to focus on sleeping and reading.
Merkel remains a member of the Christian Democrats.