A loyal ally and two fierce critics are among the contenders to succeed Germany's Angela Merkel as head of the centre-right CDU party and secure a future shot at becoming chancellor.
Here's a look at the top candidates.
A knife-edge vote on Friday will determine Angela Merkel's successor as head of her party after 18 years at the helm, with the German chancellor's own political fate and legacy on the line.
The competition to become the new CDU leader is entering the final week – and Friedrich Merz, the man known as the ‘anti-Merkel', has stepped up his game.
