Despite the forces in the EU and her coalition partners at home arrayed against her, Angela Merkel is a formidable lady who must never be underestimated. The German  chancellor is facing strong opposition from immigration hard liners at home and abroad, especially from Sebastian Kurz of Austria and Hungary's Viktor Orban, both of whom strongly opposed Ms Merkel's liberal policy "everyone is welcome" at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015.

The turnaround fortunes of Ms Merkel, the EU's political rainmaker for most of the two decades of the 21st century, could hardly be starker. Europe's shifting political sands do not augur well for the chancellor. Italy, driven by its new deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, has little incentive to help Ms Merkel out. His hard line on immigration is there for all to see.

For most of the past 13 years, Angela Merkel dominated EU summits because of her strength. She was always centre stage. But now, and unfortunately I must say, some EU politicians have united in their endeavour to topple Angela Merkel. Others want her to survive.

Some countries feel that Merkel's woes will end the Merkel era. Merkel, however, is able to negotiate her way through difficult situations in an exemplary manner and with such calmness. I think every leader understands what it means to be under pressure at home, and they all try to find solutions for each other. They know that next time round it could be them that needs a bit of a helping hand.

We wish her well.

 

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara