Angela Merkel’s Memoir Reflects on Global Leadership, Criticisms of Legacy
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel offers a candid account of her interactions with global leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, in her upcoming memoir, Freedom: Memories 1954-2021. The book, set for release on November 26 in over 30 countries, provides insight into her 16-year tenure while addressing mounting criticisms of her legacy in light of contemporary crises.
Merkel defends her controversial 2008 decision to oppose NATO membership for Ukraine at the Bucharest summit, which she writes was a necessary measure to avoid escalating tensions with Russia. She recounts Putin’s warning: “You won’t be Chancellor forever. And then they’ll become a member of NATO.”
The memoir also details her attempts to navigate Trump’s “winner-or-loser mentality,” including seeking Pope Francis’s advice, who counseled her to “bend, bend, bend, but make sure it doesn’t break.” Merkel’s values-driven leadership during Trump’s presidency earned her the informal title of the “leader of the free world.”
Despite her accomplishments during crises such as the eurozone debt turmoil and the COVID-19 pandemic, Merkel has faced criticism for policies that left Germany reliant on Russian gas and Chinese trade, as well as for her decision to phase out nuclear power. Her tenure is also linked to rising far-right sentiment and economic challenges.
Still, analysts note that her stances, particularly on Russia, reflected broader German consensus. As Merkel prepares to launch her memoir, she remains a complex figure, celebrated for her steady leadership but scrutinized for perceived policy missteps.
