![]() What should the next German government address? But her government also omitted to safeguard European cohesion and all member states’ adherence to the rule of law. Merkel’s government has certainly used its European leadership position efficiently to push through its core national interests – Germany would not have overcome the various crises so successfully otherwise. She is portrayed in Poland and Hungary as the force to blame for the continent’s slow ‘decline’, having become the ‘go-to destination’ for refugees and departed from its ‘Christian roots’. This approach was also duly criticised in other European countries. In Greece, she remains a loathed figure for the EU’s austerity-driven reaction, led by her, to the euro crisis. Although she remains Germany’s most popular politician, with approval ratings of nearly 70%, her government’s policy responses have certainly contributed to growing social divides, especially on issues like the eurozone and migration crises.īeyond Germany, her policy responses to the various crises have contributed to worsening divides between the EU27, to the point that they now hinder the Union’s capacity to act. On the other hand, her leadership and policy responses over the past years have not always been as consensual as they might seem initially. One thing is clear: Merkel’s departure as chancellor will create a leadership vacuum that will be difficult to fill. She made a significant contribution in solving these crises thanks to her negotiation skills, international standing and long experience as a head of government. Her pragmatic and calm leadership was an important asset for the EU in turbulent times. Her time at the helm of Germany was shaped by multiple crises, starting with the global financial crisis (2007-08) the subsequent European sovereign debt crisis (2012-13) the European migration crisis (2015) the Brexit process (2016-20), which will continue to be on the EU’s agenda and finally, the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. ![]() Merkel came to power in 2005, making her one of the longest-serving chancellors in the history of the Federal Republic. Her successor must build on her strengths – her statesmanship and crisis management skills – while making up for her most significant weakness – the lack of a strategic and ambitious vision for Europe. ![]() Whoever follows Angela Merkel in the German Chancellery will have big shoes to fill. ![]()
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