Germany's Merkel dispels rumors of EU top job

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA)- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dismissed speculations that she would seek a top EU job after her fourth term as chancellor ends in 2021.

“I won’t be available for any political post, no matter where it is, not even in Europe,” she said on Thursday, at a joint news conference with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Local media had speculated that Merkel might step down early and run for a senior EU position in Brussels, following her remarks on Wednesday on the future of the EU.

“Many people are concerned about Europe – including myself," she said in an exclusive interview with the German daily Sueddeutshe Zeitung.

"This means I feel even more duty bound to join others in making sure that Europe has a future,” she stressed.

In December 2018, Merkel stepped down as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), following heavy losses of her party in regional polls.

She underlined, however, that she intended to remain chancellor until her term ends in 2021.