Angela Merkel's memoirs: Insightful critique of global leaders
The diaries of Angela Merkel will be available in German bookstores in a few days. The former Chancellor of Germany has described her political life. Before the release on November 26, excerpts from her memoirs, commenting on contemporary leaders, were published by the German weekly "Die Zeit".
21 November 2024 13:34
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany from 2005-2021, shares reflections on her life in her diaries, which are being published three years after her retirement. She writes about her carefree childhood in Waldorf surrounded by nature, good relations with the religious community, and neighbours from whom she learned a lot.
But the most interesting excerpts are those in which she shares her reflections on leaders who continue to influence the world. She met most of them face to face.
Angela Merkel's memories. A jab at Donald Trump
Merkel's diaries, titled "Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021", are set to be released on November 26 in 30 countries. A week later, the book will reach readers in the U.S.A.
The book went to print before the elections. The former chancellor does not hide in it that she hopes for Kamala Harris's victory.
She also evaluates Donald Trump, who began his first term during her tenure. She criticizes his materialism. "He saw everything from the perspective of the property developer he was before entering politics. Each parcel of land could only be sold once, and if he didn't get it someone else did. That's how he saw the world," the former Chancellor of Germany wrote.
She also mentions Pope Francis's advice when asked how to deal with "people with fundamentally different views." The Pope immediately guessed it was about Trump and his peculiar perception of climate. "Bend, bend, bend, but make sure it doesn't break," Francis advised.
Angela Merkel does not shy away from commenting on Vladimir Putin either. During her tenure, relations with the later aggressor were proper. Today, Merkel is criticized for the excessive dependence of the European economy on cheap gas from Russia.
"I experienced him as someone who didn't want to be disrespected, ready to lash out at all times," Merkel wrote. She explained that the Russian dictator must have been panic-stricken and would not be respected and impose a dominant position through his demeanour.
The diaries of Angela Merkel, the first woman to hold the office of chancellor, written together with political advisor Beate Baumann, provide an intriguing study of world politics and an interesting chronicle of life in two German states. The future chancellor lived 35 years in East Germany and 35 years in unified Germany. Her political career began with the fall of the Berlin Wall.
