Merkel to shore up European credentials at Kohl's side

GERMANY: German Chancellor Angela Merkel will reunite with former mentor Helmut Kohl to mark the 30th anniversary of his coming to power Thursday, using the occasion to firm up support for her euro strategy.

Merkel will give a speech at Berlin's German Historical Museum in honour of the 82-year-old colossus of German politics, credited with shepherding both Germany's peaceful unification and pivotal chapters of European integration.

Commentators said Thursday's event would serve to depict Merkel as his rightful political heir and executor of his legacy.

"Considering the reservations against the euro rescue packages among the CDU rank-and-file, it is quite useful to be able to remind people that the euro was born during the era of the 'Europe chancellor' Kohl," the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung wrote, referring to their conservative party.

AFP