Angela Merkel sets out to restore her reputation

Few world leaders have left office as lauded as Angela Merkel. When she stepped down as chancellor in 2021, after 16 years, Germany’s economy was the envy of Europe. Mrs Merkel had saved the euro and guided her nation through the pandemic. Her style of politics set an example, too. In an age of increasing demagoguery, fake news and partisanship, “Mutti”—or Mum, as Germans affectionately called her—was low-key and empirical. Instead of demonising her opponents, she was the architect of compromises that had something for everyone.