In her memoir ‘Freedom,’ Angela Merkel reflects on her 16-year leadership of Germany, addressing her policies on migration and energy. She defends her decision to welcome refugees in 2015 and critiques the rise of the far-right AfD party. Merkel also discusses her energy strategies, including reliance on Russian gas, and criticizes Vladimir Putin’s aggressive stance. She emphasizes the importance of dialogue with Russia and expresses her opposition to Ukraine’s NATO membership, asserting it wouldn’t have deterred aggression.
Angela Merkel’s Reflections on Her Tenure
In her newly released memoirs, ‘Freedom,’ Angela Merkel passionately recounts her impactful 16-year leadership of Germany, Europe’s largest economy. Published in approximately thirty countries, the memoirs offer an intimate glimpse into the challenges and decisions that shaped her time in office.
At 70 years old, the former chancellor faces renewed scrutiny for her policies, particularly her reliance on affordable Russian gas and her open-door approach to migrants, which critics argue has emboldened far-right sentiments in Germany. As she steps back into the public eye after her departure from politics at the end of 2021, Merkel addresses pressing global issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the upcoming election in Germany.
Addressing the Migration Crisis
Merkel’s handling of the migration crisis, especially her decision in September 2015 to welcome refugees at Germany’s borders, has drawn significant criticism. In her memoir, she explains that her vision of Europe and globalization motivated her actions, coining the now-famous phrase, ‘We will manage it’ (‘Wir schaffen das’). This statement encapsulated her belief that challenges can be overcome through determination and effort.
Despite the backlash, she expresses confusion over the interpretation of a friendly selfie with a Syrian refugee, questioning how it could be seen as an invitation for mass migration. While she insists on the importance of protecting Europe’s external borders, she also underscores that the prosperity and rule of law in Germany and Europe will continue to attract people from around the globe.
On the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Merkel cautions other democratic parties against merely adopting the AfD’s rhetoric without offering concrete solutions. She believes this approach is likely to fail in curbing the party’s influence.
Energy Policies and Relations with Russia
Since the onset of the Ukraine invasion in February 2022, Merkel has faced criticism for Germany’s energy dependence on Russian gas. She highlights that the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was initiated by her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, who subsequently took up leadership roles in the company. Regarding the controversial Nord Stream 2, which was approved post-Crimea annexation, Merkel argues it was challenging to gain support for alternative, more expensive energy sources at that time.
She defends her decision to phase out nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, asserting that natural gas served as a necessary transitional energy source while the country moved towards renewable energy. Merkel also opposes calls to reinstate nuclear energy in Germany, stating it is unnecessary for achieving climate objectives and technological efficiency.
In her memoirs, Merkel is particularly critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, portraying him as a leader who is constantly on edge and ready to assert his power. Nevertheless, she maintains that maintaining dialogue and trade relations with Russia was essential, given its status as one of the world’s main nuclear powers and its geographic proximity to Europe.
Additionally, Merkel reaffirms her stance against Ukraine’s NATO membership at the Bucharest summit in 2008, arguing that such a status would not have prevented Russian aggression.