The other day some politicians were asking this question: “Is Merkel fatigue setting in? Is Angela Merkel done for? Is she about to hand over the reins of power to someone else?”

It is true that she created a mess over immigration. It is also true that half of German voters wanted her to resign... but she's still there as leader of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party on her fourth term as Chancellor.

After the federal elections held in Germany last September, Angela Merkel, unfortunately, saw a public that was fast losing patience with her political leadership. Since that fateful day in September, Merkel has been somewhat grounded, but after months-long effort to secure a governing majority in the Bundestag, the queen of political stability in Europe managed to form a strong coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats. Such a coalition should be able to use its super majority to enact major reforms, to get big projects done and most important, to solve the refugee crisis that drove the German public crazy.

In truth, by now Merkel had grown accustomed to writing the EU's agenda, but not anymore it seems as Mr Macron of France has set the stage completely for himself. Britain's Theresa May has time for nothing else except for Brexit and perhaps to criticize Jeremy Corbyn.

For thousands of supporters, Ms Merkel is one of the world's most charismatic and admired leaders in the world and an inspiration for a new generation of rising women politicians. We wish her the best.

 

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara