Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Angela Merkel wins again' that was published in Newsband

Angela Merkel wins again

Angela Merkel is Europe’s most powerful leader. Her centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party is leading. Angela Merkel is set to remain Germany’s chancellor, for a fourth consecutive term although her party captured a lower percentage of votes than in 2013.

Germany is a stable democracy. It is deeply committed to the European project. Its politics have not been upended by populist forces as has been the case in the US and the UK with Donald Trump and Brexit. Mrs Merkel has come out the winner, albeit somewhat weakened. After so many years in office, she can only be aware that the question of what, and who, comes after her will inevitably become more pressing.

The European Union can heave a sigh of relief that Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union has emerged as the single largest party in German elections. But the task of cobbling together an alliance remains. Merkel has had a steadying influence on the EU. Merkel can rightfully stake claim as the preeminent Western leader of our times – given that the US and UK appear to have turned their backs on globalisation and no longer seem to care for a rules-based international liberal order.

But Germans will have to be careful of the rise of far-right tendencies characterised by nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment on home soil. The two main parties are Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SPD). SPD has decided it will not be part of another CDU-led government. This will complicate Merkel’s task of finding new alliance partners. The question asked is whether the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) will emerge as the primary opposition party?

In French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany has an able ally since both want to strengthen EU economies considerably. But Russian President Vladimir Putin and nationalists like France’s Marine Le Pen – even perhaps US President Donald Trump – would like to see them fail.

Merkel personifies steadiness, continuity and cooperation. Merkel faces challenges at home.  She will have to come up with a credible coalition government. Germany is the natural leader of Europe. Her re-election as Chancellor comes with huge challenges domestically and globally.

Thus Angela Merkel has returned for a fourth consecutive term as Chancellor, although with a much-reduced mandate. With her natural instinct for caution and pragmatism, she is one person who can turn the page on the country’s Nazi past. Germans have never had it so good in terms of economic well-being and political stability.

It is difficult to state the reasons why there has been a steady decline in support for the two major mainstream forces and conversely, the gains for the AfD who captured more votes than before.  

Anyway, Merkel, who has defied the recent record of Europe’s politicians even in terms of sheer longevity in office, would look to consolidating her legacy.