IF Merkel is "forced out" soon... then what?

[Intell]

I doubt Merkel would be replaced by someone from the AFD, though if her popularity tanks, she could be replaced by someone more right wing in the CDU/CSU. Also lets get rid of the idea that Merkel is a liberal (in the american sense of the world), and progressive, especially in regards to Europe, and economics.

[Intell]

Liberal in the sense of the Liberal World Order established after WWII by the USA and UK and liberated France. The liberalism that believes in free trade, globalization, that rejects isolationism and protectionism, that believes the world should be held to international laws and a standard of human rights instead of merely the self-interests of nation-states. The liberalism that believes in the UN, NATO, and the EU.

Under that sense, yes. Merkel is a right-wing liberal, but with that definition (a correct one mind you), Merkel would be a liberal.

[Intell]

Yes, and my point is that they now no longer see the President of the United States as the champion of this ideology, of the post-WWII order. Now they are seeing Angela Merkel as the leader of the free world, especially in Europe. But I fear that still puts it on a shaky foundation. So my question is, if she is forced out, then what?

If Merkel, is forced out, someone from the SPD and Greens will lead Germany. Unless Germany turns to shi*t, and conservative CDU voters, go against european integration, liberal conservatism, and the christian democratic platform of the party, resulting on someone from the right-wing of the right of the party taking over and being CSU lite. Otherwise, AFD might take the more conservative CDU voters, with the rest still voting firmly for Merkel-lite, liberal conservatism, with this, the liberal consensus as it exists will continue. An Alliance between (CDU-SPD-Greens-FPD), excluding the CSU is more likely than a (CDU-CSU-AFD coalition).

AFD could poll about ~20-25% (taking voters predominately from CDU, CSU, and  at a lesser rate SPD, FDP, and some but still low amount of East German "patriotic" die linkie voters.) at it's highest, unless Germany turns to complete sh*t.

[Intell]

Yes. That's why I specifically said not "far right." Just to her right, someone more nationalist and isolationist and populsti. Could be within her own party, whatever. But someone who goes against the liberal post-WWII order, who doesn't like globalization and the EU.

I'm saying IF it happens... no matter the likelihood... then who takes up the mantle?

That's not going to happen, unless things turn to absolute shi*t to Germany. Someone more right-wing than Merkel will just be more critical with refugees, immigration, multiculturalism (probaby still supporting refugees and immigration to a certain point) while still being a right-wing liberal, and support for liberal conservatism and the European Union.

If it happens, at this stage Sweden, Portugal, Spain? The Situation you described has close to 0% of happening.

[Intell]

Yes. That's why I specifically said not "far right." Just to her right, someone more nationalist and isolationist and populsti. Could be within her own party, whatever. But someone who goes against the liberal post-WWII order, who doesn't like globalization and the EU.

I'm saying IF it happens... no matter the likelihood... then who takes up the mantle?

That's not going to happen, unless things turn to absolute shi*t to Germany. Someone more right-wing than Merkel will just be more critical with refugees, immigration, multiculturalism (probaby still supporting refugees and immigration to a certain point) while still being a right-wing liberal, and support for liberal conservatism and the European Union.

If it happens, at this stage Sweden, Portugal, Spain? The Situation you described has close to 0% of happening.

I'm not asking likelihood, I already knew it isn't that likely right now.

This whole thread is conditional upon the IF statement.

IF that is true, Merkel leaves and is replaces by someone with a different worldview as I've already described... then who takes her place as leader of the free world?

Who are the leaders of Sweden, Portugal, and Spain? Why would it fall to one of them? Would the PM of Canada, or Australia, or Japan, be ruled out?

The thing is, there is no real obvious internal challenger with the clout to oust Merkel. One thing Merkel has been good at is holding a firm grip on power.

There is no viable opposition to Merkel in Germany.

Please read the above. Let me make this clear: this is all about IF this happens. Take it as a given. In this hypothetical situation, which leader in the world takes up the mantle of leader of the free world, since now so many think it goes to Merkel after Trump's election?

Canada with Treadu might actually be a very plausible scenario. Australia maybe also. Japan no way.