We collect cookies to analyze our website traffic and performance; we never collect any personal data.Cookies Policy
Accept
Michigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
Reading: Angela Merkel’s Political Life in Pictures: The End of an Era
Share
Font ResizerAa
Michigan PostMichigan Post
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Michigan
  • World
  • Politics
  • Top Story
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economics
    • Real Estate
    • Startups
    • Autos
    • Crypto & Web 3
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Beauty
    • Art & Books
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Education
© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved.
Michigan Post > Blog > World > Angela Merkel’s Political Life in Pictures: The End of an Era
World

Angela Merkel’s Political Life in Pictures: The End of an Era

By Editorial Board Published December 8, 2021 3 Min Read
Share
Angela Merkel’s Political Life in Pictures: The End of an Era
08merkel photos promo02 facebookJumbo

BERLIN — When Angela Merkel became chancellor 16 years ago, George W. Bush was in the White House and Tony Blair was prime minister of Britain. There was no Twitter and no iPhone. Liberal democracy was in seemingly irreversible expansion, with the Orange Revolution having swept Ukraine.

On Wednesday, as Olaf Scholz, Ms. Merkel’s successor, takes over as chancellor, Twitter is a veritable tool of diplomacy, Russian troops are gathering on a divided Ukraine’s border, and democracy itself seems far less certain around the world.

In the intervening years, Ms. Merkel has stood up to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia (even when he tried to intimidate her with his dog). She bonded with Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and scolded President Donald J. Trump. She became an icon of hope for refugees and an object of scorn for populists the world over.

It was a long journey that started behind the Iron Curtain. Born in the western port city of Hamburg, Ms. Merkel grew up as the daughter of a Protestant pastor in the former Communist East in a small town north of Berlin.

When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Ms. Merkel left behind a career in scientific research to throw herself into politics, winning a seat in Parliament in Germany’s first reunified elections. Before she became chancellor, she several multiple ministerial posts and served as leader of her conservative party, after ousting her political mentor, Helmut Kohl, in a ruthless display of power by publicly calling for his removal. She remained head of the Christian Democratic Union until 2018, when she decided to step down, a move that rendered her a lame duck for the final, challenging years of her chancellorship.

Now, at 67, Ms. Merkel’s long political life appears to be coming to a close (what will follow is uncertain). She was always clear that she wanted to leave office on her own terms and in her own time. “I want at some point to find the right time to quit politics,” she told Herlinde Koelbl, a German photographer, in 1998. “I don’t want to be a half-dead wreck.”

She kept this promise to herself. The first chancellor of modern Germany to leave office rather than be voted out either by lawmakers or the public, Ms. Merkel is walking out of the chancellery as her country’s most popular politician.

Her political career, which began in an era of hope after the Berlin Wall came down, is ending at a time of great uncertainty. It is a journey from the end of history and back.

TAGGED:Berlin (Germany)Merkel, AngelaPolitics and GovernmentThe Washington Mail
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Print

HOT NEWS

18-year-old shot at home get together close to Charlotte

18-year-old shot at home get together close to Charlotte

Michigan
July 15, 2025
Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

Lamine Yamal: Incapacity rights group threatens authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism reportedly employed for star’s celebration

A Spanish incapacity group has threatened authorized motion after individuals with dwarfism have been reportedly…

July 15, 2025
Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

Amid resurgent 12 months and batting title push, Will Smith unbothered being ‘overlooked’

ATLANTA — The hierarchy of stars was apparent even within the desk preparations.At an All-Star Sport media…

July 15, 2025
New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

New MSTR ETF gives weekly payouts — till BTC market turns

Catering to the brief consideration span of retail buyers in Michael Saylor’s bitcoin (BTC) treasury…

July 15, 2025
AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

AG Nessel urges Congress to 'curb unscrupulous' ICE techniques

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Lawyer Basic Dana Nessel is co-leading a coalition of attorneys…

July 15, 2025

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

British man arrested in Spain after allegedly making an attempt to smuggle over 60kg of hashish resin on to ferry

A British pensioner has been arrested in Spain after allegedly making an attempt to smuggle greater than 60kg of hashish…

World
July 15, 2025

British hiker lacking for every week in Italian Alps

A British vacationer has been lacking for every week after going for a hike within the Italian Alps.Matthew Corridor, 33,…

World
July 15, 2025

MoD knowledge breach put lives of round 20,000 Afghans ‘vulnerable to critical violence’

An enormous knowledge breach by the Ministry of Defence has put the lives of round 20,000 Afghan nationals in addition…

World
July 15, 2025

Trump publicizes weapons cope with NATO to assist Ukraine – as he provides Putin 50-day ultimatum

Donald Trump has agreed to ship "top of the line weapons" to NATO to help Ukraine - and threatened Russia…

World
July 14, 2025

Welcome to Michigan Post, an esteemed publication of the Enspirers News Group. As a beacon of excellence in journalism, Michigan Post is committed to delivering unfiltered and comprehensive news coverage on World News, Politics, Business, Tech, and beyond.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 | The Michigan Post | All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?