Angela Merkel on Tuesday called for a burka ban in Germany and pledged never to repeat her “open-door” refugee policy of 2015 as she launched her bid to win a historic fourth term as chancellor.

Addressing her Christians Democrat party (CDU)’s annual conference, Mrs Merkel set out her stall to lead the party into next year’s general elections.

“The world is out of joint,” she repeatedly told delegates, invoking Shakespeare in a speech that dwelt on the political upheavals of 2016.

She vowed to defend the European Union and warned that Britain would not be allowed to “cherrypick” in Brexit negotiations, and condemned the West’s failure to prevent the violence and suffering in Aleppo as a “disgrace”.

But it was her call for a burka ban that won the loudest applause from party delegates.

“The full veil must be banned, wherever legally possible. Showing your face is part of our way of life,” she said.

“Our laws take precedence over honour codes, tribal customs and sharia.”