Angela
Merkel has presided over a time of great influence and economic success.
Germany has assumed a more prominent role in the world - and its unassuming
chancellor has become a political heavyweight.
Deutsche Welle, 17 July 2014
Angela
Merkel, Europe's leader? Just a few years ago, this didn't seem likely. On the
contrary, in the first few years of her nearly nine-year tenure as chancellor,
the question was often asked whether a woman from the former East Germany could
be fitting for the post.
But German
Hollywood director Roland Emmerich was apparently convinced of her capabilities
quite early on. In his 2009 blockbuster "2012," humanity has to be
saved from annihilation in Noah ark-like ships. The Europe ship is helmed by a
Merkel-like chancellor who speaks in the name of the other states. Yet, in
reality, it wasn't even clear Merkel would be returned to power in the 2009
election as the film was being created.
It turned
out that Emmerich's assessment was correct: Merkel became one of the leading
voices in Europe. In the May 28 issue of "Forbes" magazine, she was
named the world's most powerful woman - for the fourth year in a row.
"Time" magazine has named her one of the 100 most influential people
in the world for the sixth time.
Merkel's
promise
Of course,
this would not have been possible without national success. She enjoys a good
reputation in Germany and tops the popularity scale for politicians published
by news magazine "Der Spiegel."
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| Angela Merkel and former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1991 |
Once the
underling of former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, Merkel is now a leading
politician
Young
people, and not just voters or members of her party, the Christian Democratic
Union, see her as a role model. Reasons given for this include Merkel's
authenticity: she hasn't changed much despite having gained power.
She is what
she is, at times aloof or displaying silent, pursed-lip disapproval. She is
rather unemotional and ever-focused on the task at hand. She is no show-off.
Outwardly
as well, she radiates stability: she has only very cautiously made changes to
her clothing and hair, which she famously used to cut herself. She offered
herself to Germans as a dependable pilot through crisis years. Her key message
was: After the crisis, things will be even better for Germany than before.
Her plan
has worked out: Unemployment numbers are down and Germany has continued to grow
economically. Merkel is now in her third term as chancellor - an undisputed
leader of her party, which she has molded over the years according to her
preferences.
Some cringe
at the question of who could fill her shoes, since there is no obvious answer.
Perhaps it could be the current defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen,
although she is controversial even within her own party.
Simply put,
governance in Germany has become synonymous with Angela Merkel.
From
problem child to model student
Step by
step, Merkel - who had holds a degree in physics - has increased her power, in
Germany and beyond. Once Germany had overcome the worst part of the crisis,
Merkel took to the European stage. She modified her message to include all of
Europe. She zeroed in in a void within the European Union: a lack of
politicians who wanted to, or could, take the reins.
 |
| Merkel is not afraid to have her say in international affairs |
Of course,
she had to take some hits along the way. But, as in Germany, her opponents
disappeared over time for different reasons. With German economic might once
more behind her, Merkel's voice gained weight in Europe, even though as the
largest contributor to the EU budget, Germany's voice was already powerful.
Over the
course of the crisis, the gap between Europe's largest economic power and the
other national economies increased once again. Germany - which at the turn of
the millennium was considered a "problem child" - has become the
continent's model student. And in this role it has more right to give direction
to others. Merkel and German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble have been doing
this in their dealings with the eurozone crisis, guided by the conviction that
European bailout funds can only go to finance-stricken countries if these agree
to large-scale reforms.
This
approach has been recently praised by Hillary Clinton, the likely front-runner
in the 2016 US presidential election. When asked in a German talk show why she
thought Merkel has become so powerful, Clinton replied by saying Merkel had
successfully led Europe through the financial and debt crisis. A number of
other politicians around the world see it the same way.
New
responsibilities
Germany is
striving for a balanced budget, even as southern European countries are still
inturmoil from the eurozone crisis. But in the course of the Ukraine crisis and
the NSA scandal, including the most recent spying affair, Germany has gained a
yet more prominent role on the international stage.
Supported
by German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Merkel mediated between
Moscow, Kyiv, Berlin, Brussels and Washington. This prevented a large-scale
escalation of the Ukraine crisis and softened the economic consequences through
a level-headed approach to sanctions. Just like in the eurozone crisis, Merkel
took the lead to resolve the situation.
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| Despite the Ukraine crisis, Merkel speaks to Putin |
Now,
Germany has been the only country to set up an inquiry to investigate the scale
of espionage by intelligence agencies. The German government recently expelled
the top CIA representative in Germany. Merkel is walking the fine like between
attracting America's attention to German issues and maintaining good
transatlantic relations.
Future
plans under wraps
For some
time now, a rumor has been going around in Berlin's political circles that
Merkel would like to find a new role when her present term in office ends in
2017. One of the options mentioned is UN Secretary-General. Merkel has denied
this, clearly not wanting to discuss such possibilities for political and
strategic reasons. But it is an imaginable scenario - and the UN is allegedly
keen to find a leader who could push through necessary reforms.
At this
stage, Merkel is silent about her plans for the seventh decade of her life.
Perhaps Emmerich's latest film - the sequel to the science fiction hit
"Independence Day" - will provide an answer. The movie doesn't deal
with national, European or international problems, but with intergalactic ones.
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