ANGELA MERKEL: THE QUEEN OF EUROPE

By Abdul Halim Saad, BA Malaya, Dip Politics LSE, MA Peace Studies Bradford.

Angela Merkel, 66, is the first female Chancellor of Germany (or prime minister in other democracies) and now serving her fourth term as the leader of Germany.

She became chancellor since 2005 and is widely described as the de facto leader of the EU or the most powerful woman in the world and by some as ‘the Queen of Europe’.

Angela Merkel, the first East German to become chancellor, is to retire by September 2021 after 16 years in power or more years than West Germany’s first chancellor Konrad Adenauer who was in power from 1949 to 1963.

Germany’s defeat in the two World Wars led it to a shattered economy, a division into East and West and be caught up between Europe’s power blocs and Cold War politics.

The two Germanys were unified in 1990 to become the Federal Republic of Germany with Berlin as its capital and quickly rose up to become an economically strong country.

History shows that Germany has produced some of Europe’s or world’s most celebrated thinkers, composers, singers, philosophers, artists, poets, sportspersons and inventors.

Under Angela Merkel’s leadership, Germany emphasizes on international cooperation, on EU’s affairs and plays a central role in managing the financial crisis in Europe.

Germany is now the most industrialized country in Europe and the most economically and politically influential member of the EU.

It is also the most populous state of the EU, the largest economy in Europe, the fourth-largest economy in the world and a member of the world’s club of rich nations, the G7.

The western European nation is interestingly a global leader in industrial, scientific and technological development and the world’s third largest exporter.

As a developed country, Germany ranks very high or No 6 on UNDP Human Development Index and offers high social security standard for its citizens.

It has a universal health care system, a high environmental protection standard and offers free education up to the PhD level to all including the foreigners.

Militarily, Germany ranks the 4th as the most powerful country in the world, its military expenditure is the 8th in the world and Germany is the world’s 4th largest arms exporter.

In automobiles, Germany is known throughout the world for providing quality and reliable cars that last a lifetime such as Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes Benz, BMW and Porsche.

What makes Germany an economic powerhouse?

First, there is always a physical and psychological drive towards economic reconstruction after the devastation brought by the two World Wars.

Second, Germans cultural values of discipline, hard work and efficiency spur national economic development.

Third, Germany also benefitted from joining the weak euro as it boosts its export and obtains balance of payments surplus.

Fourth, Germany has low private debt, its citizens and companies refuse to spend beyond means and Germans consider borrowing is a schulden or a guilt.

Fifth. German workers are guaranteed with job security and there is always a strong bond between workers and employers and the end result is efficiency.

Sixth, Germany’s emphasis on education and vocational training that encourage a highly productive and technical society.

Seventh, Germany’s free education in all levels encourages the growth of technical and academic talents among its population.

Eight, German unions are willing to hold down wages that lead to lower production costs and allowing the companies and country to export more.

Ninth, Germany is one of the world’s leading countries in R&D and high tax incentives are given to companies with high R&D programs.

Who is the next chancellor of Germany after Angela Merkel?

There are three candidates: Armin Laschet, 60, former state premier from the CDU/CSU coalition, Olaf Scholz, 62, the current finance minister from SPD and Annalena Baerbock, 40, an MP and also Member of European Parliament from the Greens Party.

Armin Laschet is a law graduate from Bonn University, Olaf Scholz is a law graduate from Hamburg University and Annalena Baerbock is also a law graduate from Hamburg University with an MA in international law from the London School of Economics (LSE).

The political fight between Armin Laschet, Olaf Scholz and Annalena Baerbock will be decided on the German general election day of September 26, 2021.

What are the main concerns of the German voters?

There seems to be a variety of reasons but mainly on demographic change, global migration patterns, economic hardships. climate change and Germany’s external relations.

According to political analysts, a new leader of Germany should 1) play a leadership role in European politics 2) ensure a good relationship between the US and Germany 3) ensure Germany’s outward policy in global affairs and 4) maintain Germany as an investor nation.

And all in all, the German voters prefer a strong and pro European Germany and a good trans-Atlantic relationships between Germany and the US.

The US is one of Germany’s closest allies outside of the EU and the people of the two countries see each other as reliable allies.

But both disagree on some key policy issues including on German active military role as the US wants that Germany strongly disagree.

What is the opinion of German youths in the coming election?

Almost 20 million of German population are below 25 and a study by Der Spiegel shows that the environmentalist Greens Party is the most popular party among young Germans.

Note: A Green Party is a formally organized political party based on the principles of green politics like social justice, environmentalism, nonviolence and socio democratic economic policies and Green Parties exist in nearly 90 countries around the world.

The 2020 European parliamentary election showed that 20 million young German voters were more interested in politics and that may cause a minor political earthquake.

Apparently, today’s German environmentalist generation appears to seek to revolutionize German politics and set a whole new policy agenda for the country.

Can Annalena Baerbock becomes Angela Merkel’s successor?

Annalena Baerbock, co-leader of the German Greens Party is looked upon as a young and moderate chancellor candidate and a possible successor.

A latest opinion study from the Infratest poll indicates that Annalena Baerbock is leading with 28% followed by Armin Laschet 21% and Olaf Scholz also 21%.

In the past weeks, 6 out of 10 polls indicated that Annalena Baerbock will win the chancellor post in the next German election in September this year.

And if Annalena Baerbock becomes the next German chancellor, she will be Germany’s second female chancellor after Angela Merkel and it will also be a political transformation as Germany will be ruled by the Greens politics, the first time in its history.

Goodbye Angela Merkel. We all wish you well.

‘Spying among friends is never acceptable.’ – Angela Merkel: German chancellor.

The writer is head of Asia Pacific Risk Consultancy and a former lecturer in international politics at Sultan Idris Education University, Proton City, Malaysia. (Art. No 114).