Merkel party leader urges unity after German election loss

The leader of outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party has urged supporters to emulate the unity and discipline of their victorious opponents

BERLIN -- The leader of outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel's party urged supporters Saturday to emulate the unity and discipline of their victorious opponents, declaring that it only can start winning again if members learn to stand together.

Armin Laschet has indicated his readiness to step down as leader of the Christian Democratic Union, the bigger of two parties in Germany's center-right Union bloc, though it's not yet clear how and when a successor will be chosen. As the Union's candidate for chancellor, Laschet led the bloc to its worst-ever national election result on Sept. 26, when it finished second behind the center-left Social Democrats.

Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state, took full responsibility for the defeat while attending a Saturday congress of the Union's youth wing in Muenster.

“I am responsible for the election campaign, and no one else," he said.