The new leader of Germany’s governing Christian Democrats (CDU) tried to distance herself from Angela Merkel over the weekend, as some in the party worry the woman known as “mini Merkel” will fail to win back disillusioned voters.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has tried to soothe fears on the right wing of the party by telling a reporter she is prepared to “pit herself” against the centrist Chancellor if she thinks it is in the interests of the party.

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer defeated conservative rival Friedrich Merz in a vote at the party conference on Friday to take the helm after 18 years of domination by Ms Merkel.

Mrs Merkel was forced to relinquish the party chair after a string of poor election results, but intends to see out her current term as Chancellor.

The contest became a fraught battle over the future. Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer had been groomed for the role by Mrs Merkel, while Mr Merz rallied those eager for change.

In the end Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer won 52 percent of the vote, showing how split the party is over Mrs Merkel’s legacy. But Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer told broadcaster ARD on Saturday that she would be no patsy.