(Berlin) Angela Merkel, who left power after 16 years at the helm of Germany, writes her political memoirs, intended to “explain its main decisions”, reveals Friday her close advisor who leads this project with the former chancellor German.
“The Chancellor doesn’t want to tell her whole life story. She wants to explain her main political decisions in her own words and by referring to her career “, explains in the weekly Der Spiegel Beate Baumann, office manager of Mr.me Merkel between 2005 and her final departure on Wednesday.
The two women, who have worked together for almost 30 years, are co-authoring this book which has no publisher yet. The writing project is supposed to last two or three years, according to the advisor.
These political memories will indeed be the work of Mr.my Merkel and Baumann. “The Chancellor and I are absolutely certain: if we had to write this book, we would do it alone, that is to say without a ghostwriter, without a historian, without a journalist”.
Mme Merkel, 67, passed the baton on Wednesday to new Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Ruling out at this stage any new political responsibility, including at the European level, the ex-chancellor, whose popularity remains at the zenith, has remained a mystery about her future activities.
Her priority, she has said it repeatedly: to take a break after 30 years of political career.
Former world leaders, such as Barack Obama or Jacques Chirac, have also published their memoirs, which have often become publishing bestsellers.
Few of Angela Merkel’s predecessors have remained idle for a long time. Helmut Schmidt, after leaving the Chancellery in 1982, became co-editor of the benchmark weekly Die Zeit.
Helmut Kohl and Gerhard Schröder were able to make their experience bear fruit, the first by setting up a consultancy firm, the second through lobbying assignments, including a controversial role as chairman of the board of directors of the Russian oil giant Rosneft.