German leader Angela Merkel announced she will step down as party leader in December but will remain as chancellor until 2021. Those decisions make Ms Merkel a lame duck. Ms Merkel has long said she didn't want to follow his example, perhaps because he lost his post to her in a snap election in 2005. It's possible that Ms Merkel, a risk-taker despite her reputation for stolid caution, wants to be a lame duck whose wings haven't been clipped. Ms Merkel is taking a gamble in trying to serve until 2021 but it's a mistake to write her off.

Source: Bangkok Post October 30, 2018 21:45 UTC