During her four terms, or 16 years, in office as Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel’s influence and leadership extended far beyond the country’s borders. Only two years into her posting, Merkel was already hosting the 2007 G8 Summit, confidently guiding Germany’s foreign policy and diplomatic relations. However, in 2018 the politician often deemed the de facto leader of the European Union and the most powerful woman in the world announced that she would not seek a fifth term. Highlights of Merkel’s career as chancellor include ending required military service, moving Germany away from fossil fuels and towards an economy where green-energy predominates, and leading efforts to save the Euro from the debt crisis in 2008. Her most controversial policies are arguably those surrounding the 2015 migrant crisis. Both domestically and internationally, polarized public opinions the chancellor arised after Merkel called for Germany to take in a large number of migrants; in 2015 alone almost 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany. However, economic stability, strong diplomatic skills and a promotion of multilateralism have been defining and positive traits of Merkel’s time in office and will define her legacy as Germany’s first female chancellor.
With Merkel exiting office the question of where Germany, which is currently one of the most powerful nations in the world and possibly the most powerful in Europe, will sit internationally arises. Her successor will likely need time to build their reputation both domestically and internationally, giving way for other European leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron, to take the reins in terms of regional hegemony. Who inherits Merkel’s role will be determined by the results of Germany’s September 26 general elections, where citizens vote for parties to make up the parliament (Bundestag). The newly elected Budestag will then choose the chancellor, and as of now each party only presents their nominee(s). The three candidates recognized as having the highest chance of winning are Armin Laschet of the center-right Christian Democrats (CDU) party (the same party which Merkel belongs to), Annalena Baerbock of the Greens, and Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD).
Regardless of who succeeds Merkel as chancellor, Germany’s next government will be a coalition between multiple parties. Aside from those previously mentioned, political parties which citizens will be voting for include the pro-business Free Democrats, whose candidate
for chancellors is Christian Linder, the far right Alternative for Germany (AfD) whose leading candidates are Alice Widel and Tino Chrupalla and which became the main opposition party following the migrant crisis, and the far-left Die Linke with its main candidates being Janine Wissler and Dietmar Bartsch. A poll by ZDF recently showed that Sholz was the first choice for chancellor for 49% of voters, while Laschet and Baerbock received 17% and 16% of votes respectively. Merkel’s successor will continue to address challenges present on Merkel’s agenda, such as the pandemic and climate change, but will also deal with novice challenges. For instance, now that Germany-US relations are bettering following Trump’s departure from the presidency, Germany will need to reevaluate its economic and diplomatic ties with China.
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