The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel (2021) is a political biography of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton. The book was published following Angela Merkel’s retirement from politics after holding Germany’s chancellorship for 16 years, from 2005 until 2021. Angela Merkel is one of the most influential leaders of contemporary politics. She shaped national and international policy, governing Germany through many political crises, such as the 2008 financial crisis, Brexit, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the rise of far-right populism, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This biography takes a close look at her life and legacy.

This guide uses the 2021 William Collins e-book edition.

Summary

The Prologue reflects on Merkel’s childhood under the repressive Stasi regime in East Germany, which shaped her guarded demeanor and pragmatic political style. Despite her understated persona, Merkel transformed Germany into Europe’s economic and moral leader through coalition-building and a focus on results. Marton’s biography aims to explore how Merkel—an outsider in Western German politics due to her East German background, science education, and gender—rose to global prominence.

Chapter 1, “Against the Tide,” details Angela Merkel’s early life as Angela Kasner under the influence of her stern father, Horst Kasner, a former Nazi youth member who became an East German pastor. Growing up in rural Templin, Merkel embraced simplicity, nature, and intellectual curiosity, excelling academically despite East Germany’s oppressive climate.

Chapter 2, “Leipzig—On Her Own,” chronicles Angela Merkel’s time at Leipzig University, starting in 1973. Amid the oppressive political climate, Merkel opted to study physics to avoid the ideological constraints prevalent in the humanities. Merkel excelled in her studies despite limited access to Western scientific literature. While there, she met and married fellow physics student Ulrich Merkel. Although her career options were limited, she decided to pursue a PhD in nuclear physics.

Chapter 3, “Berlin,” details how Merkel dodged recruitment attempts by Stasi agents while she was seeking employment. Merkel worked in a poorly-equipped lab and faced personal struggles, leading to her amicable divorce from Ulrich Merkel. Living in a modest East Berlin flat, she unknowingly befriended Stasi informant Frank Schneider and deepened her political awareness through friendships, notably with Michael Schindhelm.

Chapter 4, “1989,” begins with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Despite the euphoria, Merkel remained practical, attending a science conference in Poland where unification was discussed. Realizing her physics job was now irrelevant, she entered politics by joining the Demokratischer Aufbruch (Democratic Awakening) (DA), which later merged with the larger Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). Merkel’s methodical approach impressed her colleagues, leading to her appointment as the party’s spokesperson.

Chapter 5, “The Apprentice,” narrates Angela Merkel’s political rise in post-reunification Germany. In 1991, she became Minister for Women and Youth, and later Minister of the Environment, where she showcased her diplomatic skills at the 1995 Berlin Climate Conference. Merkel built a supportive network, overcame resistance within the CDU, and maintained a sympathetic campaigning style, securing her a Bundestag seat. Her strategic distancing from scandals, firings, and resilience solidified her leadership.

Chapter 6, “To the Chancellery at Last,” focuses on Angela Merkel’s rise to become Germany’s first female chancellor in 2005. After nearly-tied election results, intense coalition negotiations followed. Merkel’s composed debate performance contrasted with Chancellor Schröder’s bluster, winning public favor. Sworn in on November 22nd, 2005, Merkel’s tenure focused on faith, democracy, and evidence-based decisions. Key achievements included her 2008 Israeli Knesset speech and the 2011 decision to phase out nuclear power after Fukushima.

Chapter 7, “Her First American President,” illustrates Angela Merkel’s surprising bond with George W. Bush during her first term. Despite initial differences, Merkel’s admiration for America and diplomatic strategy of building personal rapport helped influence US policy on sanctions and climate change. She maintained a critical stance on issues like Guantanamo Bay. Informal visits, such as to Bush’s ranch, strengthened their connection.

Chapter 8, “Dictators,” discusses Angela Merkel’s practical approach to dealing with authoritarian regimes, focusing on Russia and China. Merkel prefers perseverance and finding common ground over public confrontations. Her relationship with Vladimir Putin began challengingly after his 2007 Munich speech criticizing the West. Merkel’s East German experience under Soviet rule gave her insight into Putin’s mindset, leading to a mutual respect based on understanding each other’s backgrounds. With China, Merkel recognized its rising economic power and cultivated strong ties, balancing economic interests with human rights concerns. Her visits aimed to establish trade opportunities.

Chapter 9, “The Private Chancellor,” discusses Angela Merkel’s ability to maintain a private life despite her political career. Merkel values her personal space, retreating to a modest Brandenburg cottage with her husband, Joachim Sauer. They lead a simple life, with Sauer providing emotional support and handling household tasks. This balance between private and public life has been crucial to her resilience and longevity in office.

Chapter 10, “Limited Partners,” covers Angela Merkel’s 2009 visit to the US Congress, where she delivered a heartfelt speech on the American Dream and expressed gratitude for American support in Germany’s reunification. Despite the warm reception, her relationship with President Obama started slowly due to differences in style and approach. Merkel valued humility and calculated strategy, while Obama excelled in public performance. Their relationship improved over time, despite occasional disagreements. The tensest moment came in 2013 with revelations of US surveillance on Merkel. Despite this breach of trust, Merkel’s pragmatic outlook eventually helped overcome the rift.

Chapter 11, “Europe is Speaking German Now,” examines Merkel’s leadership during the 2008 economic crisis. Faced with the dilemma of helping struggling EU countries like Greece, Merkel chose reform and austerity over eviction from the eurozone, a stance that earned her criticism and portrayed her as unsympathetic. Despite resentment and protests, Merkel partnered with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to stabilize the EU. Her austerity measures, however, fueled the rise of Germany’s far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), marking a significant shift in German politics.

Chapter 12, “The War in Ukraine—‘Get Me Angela On the Phone’”, details Angela Merkel’s leadership during Russia’s 2014 invasion of Ukraine. The crisis began with Ukraine’s pivot toward the EU, which Putin opposed, leading to President Yanukovych’s ousting and Russia’s military intervention. Putin’s tactics included deception and the illegal annexation of Crimea. Merkel, leveraging her diplomatic skills, engaged in firm negotiations and imposed sanctions on Russia while maintaining European unity. Merkel’s persistence led to the Minsk agreements, although Crimea remains occupied, and Russia has continued its invasion of Ukraine.

Chapter 13, “The Summer of Reem,” explores Merkel’s decision to open Germany’s borders to refugees in 2015, amidst a growing crisis. Despite hostility from other European leaders and criticism from her party, Merkel defied the EU’s Dublin Regulation, citing historical moral obligations. While initially supported by the public, her policy eventually faced backlash, especially from the far-right AfD. Merkel aimed to integrate refugees to benefit Germany’s aging workforce, though she struggled to communicate this effectively.

Chapter 14, “The Worst of Times,” details Angela Merkel’s tumultuous 2016, marked by crises testing her leadership. Facing a deteriorating EU, terrorist attacks in Germany, and Trump’s election, Merkel’s policies and diplomatic relationships were threatened. Initially planning to step down, Brexit and rising populism led her to seek a fourth term. Terrorist attacks like the Würzburg train attack and the Berlin Christmas market bombing intensified criticism of her refugee policy.

Chapter 15, “Enter Trump,” explores Merkel’s interactions with Donald Trump, marked by careful preparation and skepticism. Despite efforts to adapt to Trump’s volatile nature, Merkel struggled with his disregard for NATO and the EU. The first meeting in March 2017 highlighted their contrasting leadership styles. By mid-2018, Merkel accepted her limited influence over Trump, focusing on strengthening the EU. Personal challenges, including her mother's death and health issues, further added to Merkel’s stressful tenure.

Chapter 16, “Something Has Changed in Our Country…”, details Merkel’s fourth-term challenges. The AfD’s anti-immigrant stance made it the third-largest party, with significant support in East Germany. Merkel struggled to address economic grievances and resentment in the East. Criticized for her refugee policies, she faced opposition from CSU leader Horst Seehofer, highlighting her disconnect with a changing political landscape.

Chapter 17, “A Partner at Last?”, explores Merkel’s relationship with Emmanuel Macron, the youngest EU head of state at 39. Despite differing approaches—Macron’s ambitious reforms versus Merkel’s cautious negotiation—they united against authoritarianism and external threats. Their collaboration included joint defense programs and a banking union, despite Merkel’s initial hesitance toward rapid military integration.

Chapter 18, “Toward the End,” explores Angela Merkel’s final years as chancellor, focusing on lasting policies and connecting with East Germans. Acknowledging their struggles, she identified more with her East German roots. Despite efforts, some remained critical, accusing her of leading Germany into a dictatorship, which she calmly refuted. Merkel’s leadership during COVID-19 was marked by transparency and competence. Merkel secured an EU-wide pandemic aid deal and a significant agreement with China on climate, trade, and human rights, showcasing her diplomatic expertise before retirement.

In her final year, Angela Merkel focused on managing the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining her global stature without scandal. Marton discusses Merkel’s legacy of a more united EU, effective governance, and resilience. Post-retirement, Merkel plans to enjoy simple pleasures like walks, cooking, and travel, leaving behind a transformed Germany and a legacy of competence, decency, and reason.