The EU summit of 20-22 October was marked by heated discussions on the rising tension between Poland and the EU, the future of digitalisation, and the energy crisis. Yet, one distinct element made this summit a remarkable event for the media and the attending Heads of Governments. This summit marked the 107th summit for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and more importantly, her final summit after 16 years of Chancellorship.
“You are a monument” said European Council President Charles Michel in his speech dedicated to the Chancellor, he expressed her role as a “compass” and “shining light” of the European project. The speech was concluded by a standing ovation from the heads of governments and further warm remarks expressing her lasting influence as a peacemaker and as a “great European”. Infamous for her self-effacing approach, Angela Merkel took the floor with a meek smile and a gentle step, and in a very fitting manner, she thanked the attending journalists for their long nights at the summit.
Merkel’s Childhood
Angela Merkel was born in 1954 in West Germany, however her childhood consisted of a frugal and conservative Christian life beyond the Iron Curtain. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Merkel took her first step into politics after spending a number of years working as a Research Assistant with a doctorate in quantum chemistry. She joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and remained as a member ever since. Her childhood is often credited with the mild and cooperative approach that she took in debates, and has led to her generally being seen as a stable figure.
She ran two ministries, served as the CDU Secretary General, leader of the opposition, and eventually led her party to victory in 2005. As her counterparts across Europe came and went, Merkel remained a leading figure who navigated crisis after crisis. Although Merkel became the unofficial crisis manager of the EU, her faith in the European project never wilted. Certainly, her unique experience as young woman in in a divided country gave her a rare insight into the importance of European cooperation, and ultimately, unification.
Career Highlights
Some remarkable events during her years at the Chancellory include the financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent Eurozone crisis. Germany paid the largest amount of the EU’s first bailout to Greece in 2010 and throughout the rest of the crisis. However, she staunchly pushed for tough measures alongside the bailout and continued to advocate for strong reforms in Greece and Portugal. Her actions and directions caused great criticism and controversy, but Merkel continued to hold her ground, firmly believing that her stance would be key in keeping the union together in a time of doubt.
Later, the migration crisis of 2015 caused increased tension between Member States as Italy and Greece were particularly hit by an influx of refugees. Merkel stepped in to find a compromise, with Germany itself taking in over one million refugees and defended the further relocation of refugees across Europe. During this time, she also led tense negotiations with Turkey to curb the influx of refugees into the EU.
Of course, Merkel’s 16 years were not a perfect leadership. Her support for the Nord Stream 2 oil pipeline has been criticised for bringing Germany closer to Putin’s Russia, which undermines any action taken by the West against Russia in regards to their human rights violations. Her mild approach has at times been a weakness rather than a strength, particularly by causing delayed decisions in the EU in an attempt to allow for cooperation and compromise rather than firm action. Many argue that Merkel purposely dragged out discussions in order to see in which direction the wind was blowing, only then to step in with her input. Some critics say this resulted in the deterioration of the rule of law in Hungary and Poland since the EU lost the advantage of responding to the situation as fast as they should have.
How Merkel Made Her Way To The Top
Merkel owes a large part of her success to her controlled media image. Prior to her success in her party, Merkel was underestimated and often publicly undermined by her colleagues and mentor. However, a financial scandal during the 1990s and 2000s involving senior members of her party gave Merkel the upper hand to push her way up, eventually going as far as denouncing her own mentor, and crushing the glass ceiling. This move appears to be an accurate representation of her approach in politics, her subtle persona seems to shield her from the scandals often affecting charismatic and media-hungry politicians.
As a person who is simultaneously popular and controversial, Angela Merkel undoubtedly finds a fitting place in the gallery of monumental European figures. Her manner ultimately became a symbol of Western neoliberalism, one that often fights for values and unity, but not quite enough to venture outside the definition of a ‘moderate’.