The end of Merkelism — after a failure to square the circle

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the St Michael annual reception of the German bishops in Berlin, Germany, on September 27 2021. Picture: FABIAN SOMMER/POOL VIA REUTERS

Still, Merkel is one of a handful of living leaders whose influence merits its own “ism”. Fans would say Merkelism is pragmatic statecraft and a dogged determination to bridge differences — “square the circle” as Merkel might put it. Critics would call it a lack of vision, a byword for dithering . It’s notable that she initially looked to join the centre-left Social Democrats before swinging to a party later absorbed by Kohl’s conservative Christian Democrats . Her un-ideological approach to politics was a trademark even then.

In 2002, conservative grandees were against her running for chancellor, backing instead Edmund Stoiber, the head of the Bavarian sister party. Shortly before a public showdown, she conceded to him over breakfast. The incident was indicative of Merkel’s ability to read a situation and come out with her reputation intact. Stoiber then narrowly lost the vote to Gerhard Schroeder, making Merkel the next conservative candidate.

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