March to The Top: Risky Opportunity for New Defense Minister

Major features discusses the rise of Ursula von der Leyen in Germany's CDU party. In the coalition government announced in December 2013 she was named as Defence Minister.

Ursula von der Leyen has clinched the defence ministry in Germany and positioned herself as potential heir to Chancellor Angela Merkel. She's the star of the new cabinet, but she also has formidable rival in Thomas de Maizière, whom she ousted to get her new job and also see himself as an heir to Chancellor Merkel.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: German defense minister to face grilling over Euro Hawk debacle http://www.europeansources.info/record/german-defense-minister-to-face-grilling-over-euro-hawk-debacle/

ESO: Background information: The SPD votes yes / Germany unveils new Merkel government http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-spd-votes-yes-germany-unveils-new-merkel-government/

Deutsche Welle, 09.01.14: Former Defense Minister de Maiziere fires powerful parting shot http://dw.de/p/1AoJs

Spiegel Online International, 28.01.14: German Defense Minister: 'We Can't Look Away' http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/interview-with-german-defense-minister-ursula-von-der-leyen-a-945818.html

Deutsche Welle, 26.03.14: Close to the troops and far from the politics http://dw.de/p/1BVlF

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