The former chancellor enters the hall together with Merz and Söder. The reception to mark Angela Merkel’s 70th birthday is a reunion of old companions. Reconciliation is in the air.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrated her 70th birthday surrounded by former political companions. The ceremony in Berlin seemed at times like a kind of reconciliation meeting. CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz welcomed Merkel together with Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) in front of the ballroom.
Merz and Merkel find friendly words for each other
In his welcoming speech, Merz praised Merkel’s political work. He emphasized her desire for freedom and her scientific curiosity. She made a decisive contribution to European cohesion, especially during the euro crisis and the corona pandemic.
Merz thanked Merkel for her “political life’s work”. He concluded his speech by saying to the person celebrating his anniversary that he hoped “that you will remain loyal to the CDU”.
With regard to Friedrich Merz’s candidacy for chancellor, which was formally decided on Monday, Merkel said to him on stage: “I wish you all the best and much success for the coming months!”
Praise for political vision – and Merkel’s roulades
Merkel, who was accompanied by her husband Joachim Sauer, had requested a keynote speech by art historian Horst Bredekamp for the evening. Bredekamp covered a wide range of topics, from the dialectic of enlightenment to the meaning of images and the question of what had changed with the invention of the Internet. He stressed that Merkel had always been aware of the danger of a possible disintegration of Europe during her time as Chancellor.
However, Bredekamp began by revealing how he had met Merkel many years ago – through Joachim Sauer – and that he particularly appreciated the roulades she cooked.
Altmaier and Bouffier among the guests
Among the guests were current members of the Union parliamentary group, as well as former CDU politicians such as Peter Altmaier, who held several ministerial posts under Merkel, the former Prime Minister of Hesse Volker Bouffier and the former President of the Bundestag Rita Süssmuth.
Merkel turned 70 on July 17. She did not run for the 2021 federal election after 16 years as chancellor. She led the CDU from 2000 to 2018. Especially in stormy times like today, politicians must be aware that liberal democracy is not a given, “but must be worked hard for again and again.”
On her birthday, Merz had already sent the former chancellor “warm congratulations” via the platform X. He wrote: “For around three decades, you have shaped the politics of our country and taken on responsibility: in the CDU, in parliament and in the government.”
Merkel had ousted Merz from the chairmanship of the Union faction in the Bundestag in 2002. Their relationship had been strained ever since.
Source: Stern
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