Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel Reflects On Leadership, Controversies In New Memoir- Freedom: Memories 1954-2021|N18G

Angela Merkel's memoir, Freedom: Memories 1954-2021, released on November 26, 2024, reflects on her 16 years as German Chancellor. The book explores her interactions with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, and justifies her decision to block Ukraine’s NATO membership in 2008, a move critics argue contributed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Merkel led Germany and Europe through major crises, including the global financial and euro zone debt crises, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, her legacy has faced scrutiny, with critics blaming her policies for Germany's dependence on Russian energy and trade with China, the rise of the far-right, and high energy costs. Merkel’s decision to open Germany’s borders to refugees and phase out nuclear power has also been criticized. Despite this, she remains popular and has not apologized for her actions, which she defends in her memoir as necessary during those times.