Angela Merkel is considered the de facto leader of the EU… unsurprisingly so. The record four time German Chancellor, who is a scientist by profession, has often been called upon to play peacemaker in a region fraught with diverse interests. Amid an apparent shift to insularism in neighbouring Britain as well as across the Atlantic, Merkel is even referred to as ‘the leader of the free world’ – a title wholly befitting one of the most powerful global icons of this day and age.
BACKGROUND
DATE OF BIRTH
17 July 1954
BIRTHPLACE
Hamburg (Germany)
EDUCATION
BSc from Leipzig University
Doctorate from the German Academy of Sciences
HIGHLIGHTS
First female German Chancellor
Contribution to greater European integration
Treaty of Lisbon and the Berlin Declaration
Financial crisis stimulus plan
Healthcare reform
QUOTE
To be serious, if we were only interested in earning big money
then a politician would have to go and work in industry
Angela Merkel
Q: In your opinion, what makes Angela Merkel a front-runner in statesmanship and politics?
A: She ‘voted with her feet’ early in her career to escape East German autocracy, and has embraced and espoused liberal democracy ever since.
Then she sustainably built a career with consistent policies that steadied the domestic ship in particular while charting a course for the EU in general, in addition to the sterling leadership provided to the European Council and G7.
And finally, after three decades and four chancellorships, she is able, ready and willing to step down – which is rare in ambitious and capable leaders of her calibre.
Q: What particular lessons can be learnt from her career?
A: There are many including adroit handling of state, federal and continental offices with admirable finesse.
However lacking in aplomb she may seem, Merkel more than makes up for it with a solid grasp of global realities. And in discharging her duty with both Europe and Germany in mind, she has displayed an ethos on the verge of ‘an iron fist in a velvet glove.’
Perhaps most exemplary is her ability – and readiness – to appropriate the policies of even opponents… especially if they fit the federal or Eurozone bill.
Q: And how can aspiring Sri Lankan leaders be as revolutionary in their field both at home and abroad?
A: Good if not great leaders are born, some are made and others have greatness thrust upon them. With this ‘Iron Woman’ – also called ‘Iron Chancellor’ in a nod to the formidable Prussian leader Otto von Bismarck – it has been a measure of all three to some extent.
Merkel was born into and did proud by an academic family. Rather than eschew rationality despite her religious upbringing, she applied the scientific approach to policies that balanced pragmatic politics with economic realities.
‘Leader of the Free World’ is a baton that former US President Barack Obama intentionally passed on to her by making a call to her one of his final official acts… it’s an epithet that she has done much to deserve including strengthening the continent’s economic rapport with the US.
Wijith DeChickera
Editor-at-Large
LMD
Malala Yousafzai only recently graduated from university and yet, she’s had a more profound impact on the world than most could dream of. Perhaps being the daughter of an education activist provided the confidence to press forward with her agenda but it in no way diminishes the courage she displayed following an attack on her…
Dame Anna Wintour is widely considered to be among the most influential figures in fashion, earning recognition for her eye for trends and supporting young designers. Beginning her career in fashion journalism with two British magazines, she is credited with reviving Vogue and revolutionising the industry in her role as its Editor-in-Chief. She was also…
Oprah Winfrey’s signature catchphrase (among others) goes something like this: “You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!” As far as magnanimous TV show giveaways are concerned, Oprah sets the bar. Her sense of generosity has won hearts the world over and the fact that she’s overcome many a struggle in…
Serena Williams is hailed as one of the best female tennis players in the Open Era. Her entry on the court meant a shakeup of the global tennis order. A role model and one of the most recognisable faces in the sport, Williams is also known for her style statements – both on and off…
Justin Trudeau is no stranger to the political arena, being one of only two children to be born into a prime minister in office in Canada. A teacher by profession, his ascension to the role of Canadian PM in 2015 meant he’d carry on the Trudeau dynasty – but with a new age philosophy to…
Greta Thunberg is credited for inspiring an international movement to fight climate change. Launching her campaign in 2018 with a protest in front of the Swedish Parliament House when she was 15, the teenager urged students around the world to join her and inspired more than 20,000 in several countries to demonstrate and call for…
Kumar Sangakkara has been described as an elegant batsman, a reliable wicketkeeper and an astute thinker during his cricketing career – and together with his close friend Mahela Jayawardene, he was the cornerstone of Sri Lankan cricket’s leadership for some 15 years. An iconic brand ambassador for Sri Lanka for more than a decade, Sangakkara…
Michelle Obama is such a popular figure that many of her fellow citizens wish she’d run for office – even if she seems to promptly decline the offer on any given occasion. More recently, the Grammy Award winning former First Lady of the US has inspired people across the world through her memoir Becoming, which…
Barack Obama altered the course of history when he became President of the US – and he continues to act as a symbol of hope for millions of Americans who have faced untold discrimination at the hands of their more privileged oppressors. His presidential successor may be termed the ‘Tweeter-in-chief’ (mainly for his frequent social…
Elon Musk has looked to revolutionise transportation by introducing fully electric vehicles on a large scale. Focussing on the internet, space and clean energy, the entrepreneur and self-made billionaire – who counts an estimated new worth of almost US$ 43 billion – is widely regarded as an inspirational figure in tech; and he has declared…
Angela Merkel is considered the de facto leader of the EU… unsurprisingly so. The record four time German Chancellor, who is a scientist by profession, has often been called upon to play peacemaker in a region fraught with diverse interests. Amid an apparent shift to insularism in neighbouring Britain as well as across the Atlantic,…
Emmanuel Macron assumed the role of President of France as recently as May 2017 and his new age political philosophy is attributed to his election to the highest office in the land. The investment banker turned politician established a liberal and progressive movement – En marche – as part of his presidential bid, drawing the…
