Angela Kramp-Karrenbauer, the new leader of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party told party supporters in Golintz that Europe should focus on “big issues – freedom and security”. She told the crowds of her vision to stand up to the US and China, tackle climate change and protect Germany’s borders without compromising the Schengen agreement zone. The new leader, dubbed AKK, said: “We must ensure that Schengen has external borders that are safe and protected.

“Schengen must not only promise freedom but also security.”

Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is not running as an MEP in the elections on May 23, is in pole position to take over as German Chancellor in 2021 when Angela Merkel steps down at the end of her fourth term in power.

But the EU elections are being seen as a test for the leader in waiting, with AKK expected to deliver string election results in both the EU contest and three regional polls in Eastern Germany in the autumn.

Thorsten Faas, a political scientist at Berlin free University said: “She has to prove that the CDU can win elections with her.

“If the party does badly, Merz’s supporters will say ‘we told you so. She’s just not a strong candidate’.”

Although the CDU, along with its Bavarian sister party the CSU, is expected to emerge with strong results at the EU elections, their share of the vote is expected to fall.

A poll published last week by political research company Infratest Dimap put the party on 28 percent, a drop from 35 percent in 2014.

Meanwhile, far right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is on 12 percent after attracting droves of disgruntled voters in the country.

If the CDU gets less than 30 percent, it could affect AKK’s chances of German leadership in the future.

One CDU MP said: “It will definitely lead some in the party to question whether she’s the right person for the job.”

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