EXACTLY ten years ago, on November 22, 2005, Angela Merkel elected Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. This then seemed like an event linked to a series of unexpected events, such as the CDU’s narrow victory over the SPD led by Gerhard Schröder. Subsequently, it turned out to be the beginning of the opposite political cycle which changed German history and marked the fate of Europe. In fact, for several years now Helmut KohlThe German Reunification Chancellor, nicknamed “the girl” – but forced off the stage without any consideration because she was embroiled in a party slush fund scandal – has transformed herself into “the most powerful woman in the world”. Old Continent» ( The Economist). He had been the one to pick up the phone, using famous and ironic words Henry Kissingersomeone tried to “call Europe on the phone”.
According to an opinion survey published a few days ago by the agency Allensbach on the eve of the anniversary of his appointment to the highest political office in the country, the the first time for a woman in German history, the Chancellor who “came from the East” appeared before his fellow citizens, in spite of everything, “without alternative”. And this despite the crisis caused by the arrival of refugees in large numbers – yes 900 thousand since the start of the year — its popularity has seen a sharp decline in recent weeks. And ten years represents politics, in the era global postmodernityan abnormal temporal dimension capable of consuming even the most sophisticated leadership. This is why Merkel got real case study for political scientists and mass media scholars who have long wondered about this anti-charismatic charismaabout the nature of a way of doing politics without major concessions to the gestures of affection and leadership of public affairs away from the temptation to use power to gain consensus among one’s supporters.
So what at first glance looked like leadership without quality has actually established its legitimacy systematic anti-populism. And on a political pragmatism elastic. This doesn’t mean that at all Angela Merkel whether he is an “angel” who has fallen into political hell or who has no taste or appetite for power. On the contrary: and this is what confuses analysts most, Merkel has a natural talent for turning even the most unfavorable situations to her advantage. And in three legislatures characterized by different government alliances, there were errors Angela Merkel he did several things.
From 2005 to 2009 he led a grand coalition with the SPD after presenting itself in the election campaign under the banner of tough fiscal and economic liberalism. And this is precisely thanks to the actions of the Social Democratic and Democratic Party ministers reform carried out by the previous red-green government led by Schröder that Germany was able to get through the major economic crisis that occurred in 2007 better than other European countries. And for this reason, in the 2009 elections, Merkel won again and revived the government led by the liberals, which in the next elections in 2013 had to pay a heavy price for welfare cuts and the CDU, still led by Merkel, even came close to achieving victory. absolute majority. With the SPD stuck at around 26/27 percent, Angela Merkel has formed the SPD again grand coalition enjoyed such a high level of popular consensus that some Social Democratic leaders half-jokingly suggested that the SPD should not field its own candidate.
Then, as he often did, it was history he had dramatically turned over a new leaf. And he also did the same thing Angela Merkel: he was known for his spasmodic concern not to lose the feelings that bound him to his constituents and for the feelings that stirred the depths of the soul of the German population, he was the ultimate personification ofethics of responsibility by Max Weber suddenly transformed into a political witness guided byethical beliefs. He made a very risky choice that surprised everyone because it linked his political destiny to acceptance without predetermined boundaries refugees fleeing massacres in the Middle East. Convinced that only Europe and not individual countries can provide solutions to the great challenges of the global world, Merkel has decided, to use the effective formulation of her Finance Minister. Wolfgang Schauble«to defend the honor of Europe».
The first one was enthusiastic welcoming spirit slowly subsided and led to increasing unrest among the people in Germany, which was supported by political exponents and parliament. CDU. Some even dared to openly question the Chancellor’s policies, even asking for his resignation. Once again, although with difficulty, Angela Merkel they managed to overcome attacks coming mainly from the CSU, Bavaria’s “sister party”. But massacre Paris and terrorist attacks occurring in Europe could also have fatal consequences for politicians of Merkel’s caliber: France’s decision to unilaterally declare state of war and to claim the right to “national sovereignty” that undermines ‘political theology’ European construction process they put Merkel and Germany and other European countries faced with an existential dilemma that does not bode well. next Wednesday Chancellor of Germany he will go to Paris to meet Hollande. We will see if beyond the words circumstance and solidarity, we can reconnect the chain a Franco-German Discourse without it there could be no pro-European perspective.
