Bundestag election 2021
Sunday, 26 September 2021 - 09:16 pm (CET/MEZ) Berlin | Author/Destination: Knut WingschCategory/Kategorie: General, EU blog post series Reading Time: 35 minutes
© bundestag.de
It is also bitter that Hitler‘s NSDAP heirs from the Afd and Honecker‘s SED heirs from Die Linke together achieved 16%, even if the two associations performed significantly worse at the federal level than in the 2017 federal elections. Like in 2017, both parties performed much better in East Germany then in overall Germany, with the AfD being the driving force in Saxony, with around 25% of the votes.
The SPD was able to achieve a historically good result with Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz, from which the claim to form a government is derived. In view of the election results of the other parties, it is at least questionable whether this will succeed.
The Greens were able to increase the results compared to 2017, but performed well below their survey peaks. Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock admitted her own mistakes and general mistakes during the election campaign on election evening. It already seems to be clear that the formation of a government will hardly be possible without the Greens.
The FDP has improved from the #FastDreiProzent party (#NearlyThreePercent party) to just under 12%, although it is still unclear why that happened. Probably not because of the rather mediocre and always the same election program. In addition, should the greatest possible accident happen and the FDP provide the finance minister, it can be assumed that the EU’s economy, especially in the south and east, will suffer considerable damage, as will that of Germany later itself.
Due to the high number of postal votes, the official final result of the election is expected for Monday, 27 September 2021. Then there will be corresponding graphical evaluations in this article available that are currently changing every minute. It is already clear that the formation of a government coalition will once again become a theatrical drama on the big political stage.
The voter turnout increased slightly by 0.4% to 76.6% compared to 2017, which reflects the importance of this election. At the same time, it becomes clear that the fringe parties on the right and the left largely only benefit from poor voter turnout. Amazingly, Donald Trump has not yet spoken up because he is of the opinion that he has clearly won the federal elections and everything else could only be electoral fraud. Until a new government is confirmed by the Bundestag, Chancellor Merkel and her ministers will of course and thankfully remain in office.
Media reports for the Federal Parliament election 2021:
The Washington Post, 20 September 2021: What you need to know about Germany’s election, Khaleej Times, 20 September 2021: Europe and the world need a steady hand in Germany, CNN, 22 September 2021: Germany’s election will decide what life after Merkel looks like. Here’s what you need to know, DW, 23 September 2021: German election basics: From the vote to replacing Angela Merkel, CNN, 23 September 2021: Angela Merkel saw Germans through crisis after crisis. Now they wonder who’ll fill the void, The New York Times, 24 September 2021: Germany After Angela Merkel, DW, 24 September 2021: UN General Assembly: Germany struggles to define its place in the world, The Guardian, 24 September 2021: Germany: Election too close to call as polls find SPD has lost its lead, Politico.eu, 24 September 2021: German parties make final push in tight contest to succeed Merkel, The Economist, 24 September 2021: German election diary: Laschet’s hope; avian alarm; your TV guide, The Guardian, 24 September 2021: The Guardian view on Europe’s centre-left: new grounds for optimism, Politico.com, 25 September 2021: Being a Woman in German Politics Still Isn’t Easy. Annalena Baerbock’s Rise and Fall Shows Why., Times of Israel, 25 September 2021: After Merkel: Antisemitism and Israel ties on Jewish minds as Germany votes, NPR, 25 September 2021: Germans Head To The Polls To Decide Who Will Succeed Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: German election: The essential guide, Irish Times, 25 September 2021: Germany votes: The election that could change Europe’s future, CNN, 25 September 2021: Germany is the biggest economy in Europe. What if it shifts left?, BBC, 25 September 2021: Germany elections: Merkel backs ‘bridge-builder’ Laschet as successor, France24, 25 September 2021: Could far-left Die Linke become part of next German government?, DW, 25 September 2021: German election: The party programs, Politico.eu, 25 September 2021: Germany can no longer avoid its responsibility to European defense, BBC, 25 September 2021: German frontrunner Olaf Scholz: ‘EU and UK will have to work together as friends’, DW, 26 September 2021: Projections give Social Democrats narrow election lead, France24, 26 September 2021: Live: SPD makes strong gains in Germany as CDU marks worst election result post-war, BBC, 26 September 2021: German rivals neck and neck to succeed Merkel, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Macron has a golden chance to switch axis of the EU from Berlin to Paris, DW, 26 September 2021: Germany votes: Big gains for center-left parties, heavy losses for conservatives — live updates, CNN, 26 September 2021: Center-left SPD has slight lead in Germany: exit poll, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Exit poll puts Scholz and Laschet neck and neck, Irish Times, 26 September 2021: Germany tilts towards centre-left victory as SPD edges ahead in election, The Guardian, 26 September 2021: German election SPD in wafer-thin lead as results come in, Politico.eu, 26 September 2021: Live blog: German election too close to call, exit polls show, Haaretz, 26 September 2021: A Gay ex-IDF Soldier Is Running for German Parliament — for the Far-right, Jerusalem Post, 26 September 2021: German elections have some Jewish officials in the country worried, Al Arabiya, 26 September 2021: German CDU/CSU conservatives, Social Democrat tied in national election: Exit poll, The New York Times, 26 September 2021: German Election Results Hint at Messier Politics After Angela Merkel, The Hill, 26 September 2021: Social Democrats win German election, beating Merkel’s conservatives, NPR, 26 September 2021: Social Democrats Beat Merkel’s Bloc In German Elections, DW, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: Both CDU and SPD aim to form coalitions — live updates, The National, 27 September 2021: Germany’s SPD takes narrow lead in post-Merkel election, DW, 27 September 2021: International media reacts to German election results, France24, 27 September 2021: Germans reject political extremes as centre-left SPD takes the lead, DW, 27 September 2021: German business leaders react to election result, The Guardian, 27 September 2021: EU reaction: Brussels expects poll results to mark German change of direction, France24, 27 September 2021: Live: What will Germany’s post-Merkel government look like?, DW, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: How world leaders reacted, BBC, 27 September 2021: Germany elections: Centre-left claim narrow win over Merkel’s party, The Times, 27 September 2021: German frontrunner woos Greens for three-party coalition, CNN, 27 September 2021: Key takeaways from Germany’s historic election, The Guardian, 27 September 2021: German election 2021: SPD intends to form coalition with Greens and liberals, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: Germany’s coalition bazaar opens for business, The Times, 27 September 2021: Scholz or Laschet: Who will be the next chancellor?, Politico.eu, 27 September 2021: Election leaves Germany in limbo, Times of Israel, 27 September 2021: Uncertain start to post-Merkel era after close German vote, The Atlantic, 27 September 2021: How Clinton’s ‘Basket of Deplorables’ Taught Germany a Lesson, The Times, 28 September 2021: Green and liberal kingmakers set terms for possible deal, Politico.eu, 28 September 2021: After historic loss, Germany’s Armin Laschet begins to accept the inevitable, The Times, 28 September 2021: ‘Bad loser’ Laschet told to accept defeat as rivals seek early coalition talks, The Guardian, 28 September 2021: German election: How coalition wrangling could affect Cop26 mood, DW, 28 September 2021: Germany’s election results: Facts and figures, France24, 28 September 2021: Focus shifts to Germany’s Green and liberal kingmakers after SPD tops polls, Arab News, 29 September 2021: Merkel ‘has congratulated Scholz on his election win’, DW, 29 September 2021: German election: Greens and FDP meet for preliminary two-way talks, The Times, 29 September 2021: Merkel’s successor Armin Laschet urged to quit after dismal election, DW, 29 September 2021: New German government must focus on central Europe, BBC, 29 September 2021: German coalition talks: Where Brits see a crisis, Germans find unity, DW, 29 September 2021: Merkel congratulates Scholz on election success, The Guardian, 30 September 2021: This election has forced a generational shift in German politics, Politico.eu, 30 September 2021: Where Germany’s Greens and FDP agree — and where they don’t, Der Spiegel, 1 October 2021: The Success of the AfD: Why Is the Right Wing So Strong in Eastern Germany?, The Times, 1 October 2021: German election: Olaf Scholz would turn his back on America as chancellor, warns critic, Khaleej Times, 3 October 2021: Merkel urges compromise at start of tough coalition talks, DW, 3 October 2021: German parties extend coalition talks, Der Spiegel, 4 October 2021: The Global Challenges Facing Germany’s Next Chancellor, Haaretz, 6 October 2021: Why Jews Join the German Far Right (to worship the racist, Islamophobic right-winger Benjamin Netanyahu is somewhat stupid. But digging your own grave by supporting a party whose members are largely anti-Semitic or even deny the Holocaust is a whole other league of stupidity. On the other hand, Hitler’s NSDAP also had Jewish supporters until it was too late for them too), DW, 11 October 2021: How will a new German government shape its relations with the United States?, Jerusalem Post, 13 October 2021: A message to Israelis, Palestinians, Germans about Palestinian statehood – opinion, Politico.eu, 17 October 2021: German Greens vote to start formal coalition talks with SPD, liberals, DW, 17 October 2021: Germany: Green Party agrees to start formal coalition talks, Politico.eu, 20 October 2021: The future of Europe is at stake in the fight for Germany’s finance ministry, The Atlantic, 20 October 2021: Germany Found a Way to Reduce Polarization. Could It Work in the U.S.?, Politico.eu, 26 October 2021: New German parliament opens with words of caution from departing president, France24, 26 October 2021: Germany’s first post-Merkel parliament meets, breaks new ground for diversity, DW, 26 October 2021: Germany begins new parliamentary era, Politico.eu, 4 November 2021: Sprechen Sie woke? Meet the Bundestag’s new progressives, Politico.eu, 5 November 2021: German Greens could stall coalition talks over climate policies, The Times, 23 November 2021: Is Germany ready for a culture war?, DW, 23 November 2021: Where now for the post-Merkel CDU?, Politico.eu, 24 November 2021: German parties seal coalition deal to make Olaf Scholz chancellor, The Times, 24 November 2021: German coalition promises new liberal era under next leader Scholz, The Guardian, 24 November 2021: Germany: Parties agree coalition deal to make Olaf Scholz chancellor, CNN, 24 November 2021: New German government plans to legalize cannabis and end coal use, BBC, 24 November 2021: Germany’s Scholz seals deal to end Merkel era, The Guardian, 24 November 2021: From environment to economy: what to expect from new German government, France24, 24 November 2021: Germany’s SPD, Greens, liberals reach deal for post-Merkel coalition government, The National, 24 November 2021: Coalition deal reached to make Scholz German Chancellor, The Washington Post, 24 November 2021: German parties announce government led by center-left Olaf Scholz, marking end of Merkel era, The New York Times, 24 November 2021: He Convinced Voters He Would Be Like Merkel. But Who Is Olaf Scholz?, DW, 24 November 2021: Post-Merkel coalition promises progressive agenda, DW, 25 November 2021: Who is Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting?, Irish Times, 26 November 2021: Irish Times view on Germany’s new government, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: Germany Election Playbook: Meet Team Scholz — Green grumblings — CDU leadership battle, Jerusalem Post, 26 November 2021: What is Germany’s next foreign minister’s position on Israel? – analysis, DW, 26 November 2021: Germany’s new coalition promises climate revolution, Der Spiegel, 27 November 2021: How Stable Is Germany’s New Coalition? The First Fractures Become Apparent in Berlin, Politico.eu, 28 November 2021: New German government should change tack over Nord Stream 2, Poland’s PM says, The Times, 28 November 2021: Germany’s new foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, has eye on Putin, The Guardian, 28 November 2021: Germany A new era dawns, but collisions lie in wait for coalition, DW, 28 November 2021: Expect few surprises in German Africa policy, Politico.eu, 29 November 2021: Germany finally has a government ready to lead Europe, Der Spiegel, 30 November 2021: German Foreign Minister-Designate Annalena Baerbock: “I Don’t Believe in Applying Old Labels To New Geopolitical Developments”, Irish Times, 3 December 2021: Jam for all promised as Germany enters post-Merkel era, The Times, 3 December 2021: Great expectations: why the West is looking to Germany to counter Russian aggression, The Algemeiner, 3 December 2021: New German Chancellor Vows to Fight Antisemitism at Event Honoring Holocaust Survivors, DW, 4 December 2021: China uneasy over incoming German minister’s threat to curb imports (she is right about that. There are some things that can’t be turned around, but China’s subversive and anti-democratic course can and must be effectively slowed down in and by the West), Politico.eu, 4 December 2021: Germany’s SPD approves government coalition deal, DW, 4 December 2021: Germany’s Social Democrats vote to approve coalition agreement, Politico.eu, 5 December 2021: Germany’s Free Democrats vote to back three-party government deal, DW, 5 December 2021: FDP formally backs German coalition deal, DW, 6 December 2021: Social Democrats unveil ministers for new govt, Politico.eu, 6 December 2021: German Greens back coalition deal, paving Olaf Scholz’s way to chancellery, France24, 6 December 2021: Scholz set to be elected German chancellor as Greens approve coalition deal, DW, 6 December 2021: Germany’s Greens approve three-party coalition deal, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: Big money boosts small parties in new German government, The Guardian, 7 December 2021: New faces, policies – and accents The shape of Germany’s next coalition, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: On cusp of chancellery, Scholz warns Russia, goes softer on China, DW, 7 December 2021: German inauguration: A matter-of-fact event, Politico.eu, 7 December 2021: Germany’s new climate minister aims for green economic miracle, France24, 7 December 2021: Done deal: Incoming German government signs coalition agreement, DW, 7 December 2021: Germany’s Olaf Scholz pushes for stronger EU, issues warning to Russia, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: New German Chancellor Scholz vows continuity with Merkel, Irish Times, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz realises 51 year-old childhood ambition, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: 7 early signals from Olaf Scholz, The Times, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz voted in as German chancellor, Politico.eu, 8 December 2021: Meet Germany’s new government, The Times, 8 December 2021: The wild-haired leftist turned moderate heir to Merkel, France24, 8 December 2021: Greener, fairer, but no new debt: What to expect from Germany’s incoming govt, BBC, 8 December 2021: Scholz becomes German leader as Merkel bows out, France24, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz sworn in as Germany’s new chancellor, replaces Merkel with promise of ‘new beginning’, The National, 8 December 2021: Olaf Scholz confirmed as German chancellor, DW, 9 December 2021: Who is Germany’s Annalena Baerbock?, Arab News, 9 December 2021: Pandemic, diplomacy: Germany’s new govt takes charge, DW, 9 December 2021: What are the main tasks for Olaf Scholz and Germany’s new government?, The Algemeiner, 10 December 2021: Time for a New Chapter in German-Israeli Relations (to make a long story short: the article asks for a blank check from the German government for Israel’s government no matter what it’s doing. That’s not gonna happen. Standing up for the security of Israel does not mean promoting the Israeli government, but rather keeping an eye on the security of the state as a whole, even if there are very significant differences in the assessment of Israel’s borders and the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine), DW, 10 December 2021: Germany’s new foreign minister makes inaugural visit to Poland (instead of wasting more time and, above all, more German tax money on Warsaw (even after several decades of German development aid worth billions, it is not clear that Poland will ever become a democratic state that would be viable on its own), Baerbock and Scholz would instead do well by visiting EU partner countries such as e.g. Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland, and to stay in good contact with the United Kingdom. The Visegrád states are not EU partner states, and not only when it comes to issues relating to the rule of law and democracy, and they do not even want to be. Just like the African recipients of German and EU development aid, they are only concerned with tapping the funds with which the heavily corrupted elites fill their pockets. These are not new findings, but practice that has been known for years. Nevertheless, the EU only initiates puppet theater instead of taking a clear line against it and a) blocking all budget funds from Brussels for the east and b) withdrawing voting rights. And what if the Polexit and/or Hungarexit should result from this? All the better. Hungary’s leadership has been deep in the pockets of Moscow and Bejing for years. It remains to be seen from which anti-EU source the Polish leadership is being lubricated. In either case, it would not be a loss for the EU. This is already clear from the public discussions about Polexit and Hungarexit (after Orbán and his severely corrupt gang, following the Russian example, are illegally snatching one company after the other and even increased the pace in the process, the likelihood of an exit is increasing. Why Brussels didn’t took action there isn’t really understandable. Perhaps the exit shall be supported in this way): the markets and/or the euro exchange rate react positively to this outlook. No wonder, because after all, the EU would benefit from being able to invest money sensibly and in a future-oriented manner, instead of having to send it to the Eastern Bloc to just burn money without real results, which is then no longer available for sensible expenditure and investments. After all, it will be funny when Polish nationalists have to dissolve the country in order to be able to assert imaginary reparation fantasies in a court at all. It will of course be a huge failure for them, while Germany and Russia grow unexpectedly. At the same time, that would be a nice signal to the rest of the world, namely that states can pursue a successful expansion policy even without wars: all that is required is a bunch of simple-minded nationalists on the other side. That would be a very nice knowledge gain for the international community), Arab News, 10 December 2021: Scholz meets with Macron in 1st trip as German chancellor, Politico.eu, 10 December 2021: Macron urges Scholz to ‘invent’ new financial solutions for EU, Der Spiegel, 10 December 2021: Resurrection of the SPD: The Unexpected Rise of Germany’s New Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, France24, 10 December 2021: Macron hails ‘convergence of views’ with ‘dear Olaf’ in first meeting with Germany’s Scholz, Jerusalem Post, 11 December 2021: ‘Time is running out,’ new German FM warns as Iran talks deadlocked, DW, 12 December 2021: Germany’s Scholz visits Poland amid growing differences, Politico.eu, 13 December 2021: Leaders of Poland, Germany call for ‘swift’ solution to Warsaw’s rule of law row with EU, CNN, 14 December 2021: German health minister says there are not enough vaccines for start of 2022 (with the flimsy chatter about alleged vaccine shortages (stocks are reduced to a level X and then refilled, as it is in logistics), Health Minister Lauterbach has certainly not made any new friends or gained credibility, except for the ones who said from the start that he isn’t fit for a ministerial position), The Guardian, 15 December 2021: If Olaf Scholz is serious about progress, he must back a patent waiver for Covid vaccines (a proposal that raises more questions than answers: Who will compensate Biontech for the lost profits? German taxpayers certainly not. What would British companies say if they had to release their patents for free use? The most important question, however, is who should ever be so stupid again in the future to finance the most extensive research work with an uncertain outcome at all if you know from the start that if you are successful you will not be able to earn any money with it?), DW, 15 December 2021: Germany’s new Chancellor Olaf Scholz briefs Bundestag parliament for the first time, The Guardian, 15 December 2021: Germany: Olaf Scholz condemns Covid ‘truth denial’ in inaugural speech, Jerusalem Post, 16 December 2021: The future challenges of the German-Israel relationship, DW, 17 December 2021: Far-right AfD left out in the cold, DW, 18 December 2021: Who’s in charge of German foreign policy?.
Media reports Angela Merkel’s voluntary withdrawal at her own request:
The Washington Post, 14 July 2021: Merkel makes last visit as chancellor to White House, Foreign Policy, 15 July 2021: Merkel’s Washington Visit Hints at Challenges Ahead, The New York Times, 19 September 2021: Merkel’s Children: Living Legacies Called Angela, Angie and Sometimes Merkel, Khaleej Times, 20 September 2021: Europe and the world need a steady hand in Germany, The Economist, 20 September 2021: After Merkel, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: The stain on Merkel’s legacy, The Atlantic, 21 September 2021: The World Won’t Miss Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 21 September 2021: Missing Merkel already: German CDU loses chancellor’s voter base, The Guardian, 21 September 2021: Brexit made an unlikely hero of Angela Merkel for Britain’s remainers, France24, 22 September 2021: The Merkel era – 16 years at Germany’s helm, DW, 22 September 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel to leave office with high global rating, The Wall Street Journal, 22 September 2021: Angela Merkel’s International Legacy: Cooler Trans-Atlantic Relations, The Times, 24 September 2021: The Times view on Angela Merkel’s Legacy, Haaretz, 24 September 2021: Angela Merkel – a True Leader and Friend of Israel , France24, 24 September 2021: A tireless crisis manager: The legacy of Angela Merkel, DW, 25 September 2021: Farewell, Frau Merkel, The Times, 25 September 2021: Merkel: I mastered world’s crises, now it’s over to you, DW, 25 September 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel: What has she achieved for women?, The Sunday Times, 26 September 2021: Merkel’s success rested on reassuring Germans in a changing world, The New York Times, 26 September 2021: As Angela Merkel prepares to step down, she leaves behind a country profoundly changed — and anxious about changing more., The Washington Post, 26 September 2021: Tight exit polls in Germany point to long battle to form government, The National, 26 September 2021: Will Europe miss Merkel?, DW, 27 September 2021: End of an era: A look back at Merkel’s most memorable moments, The New York Times, 27 September 2021: Winner but Not Chancellor, Yet: The Race to Replace Angela Merkel, DW, 27 September 2021: What will Angela Merkel do when she retires?, Arab News, 29 September 2021: Women’s empowerment and the ‘Merkel effect’, Jerusalem Post, 1 October 2021: Angela Merkel deserves the Nobel Prize for Peace, Jerusalem Post, 4 October 2021: The message in Merkel’s swan-song trip to Israel – analysis, France24, 7 October 2021: Merkel meets pope, Draghi in farewell visit to Rome, Reuters, 7 October 2021: Merkel and pope discuss climate change in farewell visit, DW, 9 October 2021: Angela Merkel leaves lasting legacy in Israel, Jerusalem Post, 9 October 2021: Merkel in Israel Sunday for farewell visit, Gulf Times, 10 October 2021: Israel security will remain German priority: Merkel on farewell tour, Al Arabiya, 10 October 2021: Merkel and Israeli PM Bennett differ on key issues of Iran, Palestine, Israel Hayom, 10 October 2021: ‘Israel’s security will always be of central importance to every German government’, Times of Israel, 10 October 2021: Merkel on farewell trip: Israel’s security will always be a priority for Germany, Haaretz, 10 October 2021: While Bennett Smiled With Merkel, Kurz Made Netanyahu Look Bad, The Algemeiner, 10 October 2021: Israel’s ‘True Friend’ Angela Merkel Honored With Female Scientist Fellowship During Farewell Visit, DW, 10 October 2021: Merkel touts Germany-Israel relations at Bennett meeting, The Algemeiner, 10 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel in Israel for Final Visit as Chancellor, Palestine Chronicle, 10 October 2021: In Farewell Visit, Merkel Vows German Commitment to Israel, Arab News, 11 October 2021: Germany’s Merkel tells Israel not to ‘lose sight’ of deal with Palestinians, Times of Israel, 11 October 2021: Bennett said to tell Merkel Israel wants to advance controversial submarine deal, Haaretz, 11 October 2021: Merkel, What About the Submarines?, Politico.eu, 13 October 2021: Merkel joins Castro, Nixon in ranks of China’s ‘old friends’, DW, 13 October 2021: Germany’s Angela Merkel holds farewell call with Chinese President Xi, Jerusalem Post, 13 October 2021: A message to Israelis, Palestinians, Germans about Palestinian statehood – opinion, Foreign Policy, 15 October 2021: There’s a Merkel-Sized Hole in European Conservatism, DW, 16 October 2021: Merkel meets Erdogan during farewell stop in Istanbul, Politico.eu, 22 October 2021: European Council bids adieu to Angela Merkel, The Guardian, 22 October 2021: ‘You are a monument’ EU leaders hail Angela Merkel at ‘final’ summit, BBC, 22 October 2021: EU leaders give Merkel an ovation at final summit, The New York Times, 22 October 2021: Angela Merkel Was Right, The Guardian, 22 October 2021: ‘A role model’: Obama pays tribute to Angela Merkel – video, The Hill, 22 October 2021: Obama pays tribute to Merkel, The Times, 23 October 2021: The Chancellor by Kati Marton review — Angela Merkel, the life of an obsessively private politician, Politico.eu, 23 October 2021: Merkel warns hardening politics threaten EU, The New York Times, 25 October 2021: ‘The Chancellor’ Portrays Angela Merkel as a Droll Source of Sanity in a Mad World, DW, 27 October 2021: World leaders weigh in as Merkel era comes to an end, DW, 28 October 2021: Germany’s Merkel arrives in Greece for last official trip, DW, 3 November 2021: France’s Macron pays tribute, bids ‘adieu’ to Merkel, Arab News, 5 November 2021: A grateful Afghanistan says goodbye to Germany’s Merkel, DW, 7 November 2021: Angela Merkel discusses climate change, refugees and legacy in DW interview, Politico.eu, 7 November 2021: Merkel vows not to become political ‘troubleshooter’ in retirement, Politico.eu, 19 November 2021: Germany’s nuclear option: No nukes (as the role of “Gas-Gerd” shows, the SPD leadership is a big fan of Russia’s dictator Putin. They would totally prefer to handing over Germany and the EU to him. NATO is of course an obstacle on the way, which is why it should be abolished. An important component for this is to reduce the spendings on the Bundeswehr so badly that it can no longer function as an army, so that Germany would be completely defenseless. The exact opposite would be necessary, however, so that Germany could finally live up to its international role and responsibility, which has been demanded by all NATO partners for years. But that cannot be achieved with “Olaf and the traffic light men” and their love for the Soviet Union. They prefer to dwarf Germany and the EU even further, only to wonder why half the world does not take them seriously and instead, quite rightly, laughs at them), The Guardian, 21 November 2021: Instability grips a weakened Europe as global predators smell blood, Politico.eu, 26 November 2021: Red roses for Merkel: Outgoing chancellor’s musical picks for goodbye ceremony, The Guardian, 30 November 2021: ‘She defined modern Germany’: Blair, Barroso and Prodi on Angela Merkel, DW, 1 December 2021: Angela Merkel leaves a mixed legacy in Africa, The Guardian, 1 December 2021: ‘Long reigns often leave long shadows’: Europeans on Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 2 December 2021: Busting the Merkel Myth, France24, 2 December 2021: Between pomp and punk: German military bids Angela Merkel farewell, BBC, 2 December 2021: Germany: Angela Merkel’s military farewell features punk singer’s hit, The Guardian, 2 December 2021: Angela Merkel bows out to the sound of Beethoven and an East German pop hit, CNN, 3 December 2021: Angela Merkel gets a grand send-off with her own pick of music, The Economist, 4 December 2021: What should Angela Merkel do in retirement?, DW, 7 December 2021: Cool, calm and collected — Merkel leaves but her political style remains, The National, 8 December 2021: Farewell to the ‘Queen of Europe’: Angela Merkel era ends in Germany, DW, 8 December 2021: Merkel bids farewell after 16 years in office, DW, 9 December 2021: Typo reveals German leaders not ready to fully let go of Merkel, The New Yorker, 13 December 2021: What Angela Merkel Left Behind, Haaretz, 14 December 2021: ‘Merkel Entered Israelis’ Hearts, but She Had No Trust in Netanyahu’ (of course, she didn’t. Who, in his right mind, did so? No single trustworthy person on this planet. He’s a shameless liar), Foreign Policy, 25 December 2021: The Year Germany Said Auf Wiedersehen to Angela Merkel, Politico.eu, 4 April 2022: Zelenskyy calls out Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy for blocking Ukraine’s NATO bid (even if it may seem cynical, Ukraine’s NATO accession would still be out of the question based on objective criteria, even more than 10 years after the Bucharest decisions. With all due respect for Ukraine’s desire for admission, this was and is not the fault of Merkel or Sarkozy, but the responsibility of the Ukrainian governments – NATO, 3 April 2008:Bucharest Summit Declaration , The Guardian, 2 December 2008: Nato allies divided over Ukraine and Georgia).
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