As Angela Merkel celebrates her 70th birthday, her achievements as the former Chancellor of Germany are being honored by her peers and scrutinized by her critics. Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Merkel's impressive political career, which began with the reunification of Germany and the triumph of democracy in the East.
He highlighted their regular conversations and recent meeting at a reception hosted by the Federal President. Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier also expressed his heartfelt congratulations, emphasizing Merkel's endurance, sense of duty, and humanity.
However, within her own party, critical voices have emerged. Jens Spahn, the vice-leader of the Union faction, identified three significant mistakes during Merkel's chancellorship, including the handling of mass irregular migration, insufficiently adapting to Russia's actions, and the decision to support the nuclear phase-out.
Meanwhile, a recent Yougov survey revealed that a majority of Germans believe that the country's conditions have deteriorated since Merkel stepped down, with some attributing this decline to the policies of the current government under Scholz.
However, Merkel's crisis management skills continue to be highly regarded, with 55% of Germans considering her more crisis-proof than Scholz, according to a Forsa survey. As Merkel's political memoirs are set to be published in the fall, her legacy and the impact of her leadership will be further examined and debated.
