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Christian von Boetticher, leader of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in Schleswig-Holstein, announces to step down and to renounce his bid to stand for state premier in a May 2012 election, on August 14, 2011 in Kiel, northern Germany. The unmarried 40-year-old leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party has resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl he met on the Internet. (AFP PHOTO)
Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate for the governorship of a German state has withdrawn from the race after admitting he had a relationship with a 16-year-old girl.
Forty-year-old Christian von Boetticher was the front-runner for next year's elections in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, representing Merkel's Christian Democratic Union. He withdrew Sunday, saying the relationship was a mistake.Boetticher said he had been in love with the girl, and in no other relationship. Local media have reported the two met on Facebook.
Boetticher retains his position as a state lawmaker. Merkel's spokesman refused to comment on Monday.
Christian von Boetticher, leader of the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in Schleswig-Holstein, announces to step down and to renounce his bid to stand for state premier in a May 2012 election, on August 14, 2011 in Kiel, northern Germany. The unmarried 40-year-old leader of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative party has resigned after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl he met on the Internet. (AFP PHOTO)
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