BERLIN/DUESSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) - Germany's Christian Democrats were set for an election win in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday, an exit poll showed, and state Premier Armin Laschet took confidence from the victory as he seeks to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Laschet, who is positioning himself as the continuity candidate to succeed Merkel, was aiming to increase the Christian Democrats' lead over rivals in the local elections to boost his standing ahead of a December party leadership showdown.