Bavaria's CSU picks state economy minister as head

Bavaria's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), sister party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), chose state economy minister Erwin Huber as its new leader in a vote yesterday.

Huber, who replaces longtime leader Edmund Stoiber, will have a voice in national policy and enjoy substantial leverage as Merkel's CDU depends on the Bavarian CSU seats in the lower house for power.

Huber, 61, will also lead the predominantly Roman Catholic party, which has ruled Bavaria with an absolute majority for more than 45 years, into a state assembly election next year. Bavaria is one of Germany's biggest and richest regional states.

The appointment could prompt a shake-up in Merkel's cabinet, with possible changes in the consumer affairs, defence and economy ministries. Media have speculated that Huber may take a cabinet job and that his defeated rival, Horst Seehofer, may quit as German consumer affairs minister.

Huber, who won 58 per cent of the votes, is seen by members as competent, but he lacks the charisma of previous CSU leaders.

The former tax inspector barely smiled during his sober speech before the vote.