After 16 years as chancellor, Angela Merkel will stand down and not seek a fifth term as Chancellor. For the past decade and a half, Merkel has been the steady hand through a series of changes shaking Europe’s future, from the eurozone and migrant crises to COVID-19. She held Europe together in the face of Brexit and Donald Trump’s belligerence. At home, the center-right leader presided over a moderate coalition that co-opted policies of the traditional center left and created a new opening for the Greens and far right.
Merkel’s departure opens up a large void in both Germany – the EU’s most populous country and biggest economy and Europe. The main question on everyone’s lips is who will be able to take over her leadership? Her party suffered stinging defeats in two state elections in March and the Greens are running neck-and-neck with Merkel’s Christian Democrats in the polls. How will these factors impact the election and the race to replace her?
Key questions to be addressed include:
- Will Germany manage to keep its leadership in Europe?
- What will Europe do when Merkel is gone? Can Europe expect France to become the guiding force post-Merkel? How do the lead candidates see Europe’s place in the world?
- What difference would the Greens in government make?
- What do their programs mean for the transatlantic, Russia and EU-China relationships?
In the run up to the German Federal election late September, POLITICO presents its German Election Events series. Moderated by POLITICO’s expert reporters, this series of events will bring together topo German influencers to discuss Germany’s leadership in Europe after the Merkel area.
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For more information, please contact us by email at events@politico.eu.