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Angela Merkel's Leadership and Success Secrets

Apr 6, 2025

The Secret of Angela Merkel's Extraordinary Success

Introduction

  • Angela Merkel served as German Chancellor for sixteen years and ended her term with high popularity.
  • Merkel's success is attributed to her understanding of German political dynamics.

Maintaining Popularity in Crises

  • Merkel maintained high leadership capital throughout her career, a rare occurrence for long-serving leaders.
  • Faced major crises:
    • Eurozone crisis (2010-2013)
    • Refugee crisis (2015-2017)
    • Covid-19 pandemic
  • Financial crisis and the pandemic bolstered her success; only the refugee crisis had adverse effects.

Leadership Capital

  • Merkel's leadership capital was historically high at the end of her tenure.
  • Helmut Kohl ended with a 42% approval rating, whereas Merkel's was significantly higher.

Secret of Merkel's Success

  • Merkel's leadership style lacked political vision and communicative performance, seen as minor in German politics.
  • German culture values meritocracy, reasoned and fact-based political approaches over charismatic leadership.
  • Popularity within German politics is less crucial than securing votes during elections.
  • Constructive vote of no confidence in Germany: no rival candidate could rally a majority against Merkel for 16 years.
  • High public trust in Merkel due to perceived competence, care, and trustworthiness.

Keeping Everyone on Board

  • Merkel's leadership involved shaping party platforms and maintaining parliamentary effectiveness.
  • She nurtured party allies and forged personal connections, often outmaneuvering challengers.
  • Her political strategies were viewed as Machiavellian but effective.
  • Merkel avoided devious tactics; she removed herself from leadership discussions to focus on her role as Chancellor.

Political Savviness

  • Merkel combined principle and pragmatism, carving out compromises and making U-turns when necessary.
  • Examples include policy changes on nuclear energy, refugees, and EU loans.
  • Maintained unpopular positions when convinced of their correctness, e.g., Covid-19 restrictions.
  • Known for "disappointing her own people at a rate they can absorb."

Conclusion

  • Merkel steps down with a record of remarkable leadership.
  • Discussion on her potential role in any future European crisis.
  • Article reflects author opinions, not necessarily ECPR or The Loop editors.