Angela Merkel, the former German Chancellor, attended the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party election on Friday in Stuttgart but left before the results were announced, which saw Friedrich Merz winning re-election. Merkel, who led the party for many years and served as Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, was seen bidding farewell to Merz and his wife in a friendly atmosphere before departing at 6 PM, just before the election results were to be revealed. Her early departure raised questions, which were clarified by a German news agency that reported Merkel aimed to catch the last direct train from Stuttgart to Berlin. Originally, she had intended to remain until the announcement of the voting results, but delays during the voting process and a lengthy speech by Merz meant that the results were severely postponed. The announcement of Merz's victory ultimately came more than three hours after the scheduled time, highlighting the challenges in the election process. Merkel's decision to leave before the final results not only highlights her continued influence within the CDU but also signifies the transitional phase the party is undergoing. As Merz seeks to consolidate his leadership, Merkel’s legacy and past leadership style continue to impact the party as it navigates its future direction in German politics.