[Inside Chodong] Did Merkel Contribute to EU Integration?

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Chancellor Angela Merkel, who will go down in history as Germany's longest-serving chancellor alongside Helmut Kohl, will step down after the general election on the 26th (local time). Given that she was chosen by the people for 16 years in a non-dictatorial country, she can be considered fully qualified to be counted among the great politicians.

Two images come to mind regarding Chancellor Merkel. The first is Merkel shopping at a supermarket. During her tenure, images of Merkel pushing a cart while shopping were often exposed in the media. In March last year, after coming into contact with a doctor who tested positive for COVID-19 and before entering self-quarantine, Merkel was seen buying wine and other items at a supermarket, which was covered by the media. This shows Merkel's humble and unpretentious side.

The other image is Merkel with Hitler's mustache wearing a Nazi uniform. This was the scene during the 2012 Eurozone crisis when Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain?the so-called ‘PIIGS’?were facing severe economic difficulties due to fiscal deficits. At that time, Merkel insisted that without strong austerity measures, financial support could not be provided, and she forced PIIGS countries to reduce fiscal spending through measures such as cutting public servants and pensions.

The British weekly New Statesman, on its June 25, 2012 cover, superimposed Merkel’s image onto that of the Terminator with the headline ‘Europe’s most dangerous leader.’ It pointed out that Merkel’s insistence on austerity could plunge Europe into a new recession.

At that time, the issuance of Eurobonds was proposed as a solution to the PIIGS fiscal crisis. Eurobonds are joint bonds guaranteed by all Eurozone member countries. This plan would have allowed PIIGS countries, which were struggling with high sovereign bond yields, to secure funds at lower interest rates. On the other hand, Germany risked higher borrowing costs. Merkel opposed this to the end, saying it would never be allowed as long as she was alive, and Eurobonds ultimately failed.

Although Merkel demonstrated remarkable political capabilities over 16 years, it is questionable how much she contributed to European Union (EU) integration. The images of Merkel pushing a cart and Merkel resembling Hitler and the Nazis are contradictory. One might say she was strong on the outside but soft on the inside.

The American political magazine Foreign Policy, in an article titled ‘The Other Side of Angela Merkel’ published last July, pointed out that while Merkel was undoubtedly a leader who led the EU, it is questionable what kind of leadership she showed for the EU project. Foreign Policy criticized Merkel for prioritizing Germany’s interests over Europe’s principles and values. At least regarding EU integration, she was said to have failed to demonstrate politics of tolerance, understanding, compromise, and inclusion.

The British BBC, in an article dated the 13th, described Merkel as the queen of the EU wearing a tarnished crown. The BBC pointed out that Merkel took a pragmatic approach and failed to present a vision for the EU, and that during her tenure, the EU weakened and lost direction. In fact, the UK left the EU. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron officially announced the Brexit referendum as a general election pledge in January 2013, right after the PIIGS turmoil.

One might ask when there was ever politics of tolerance and inclusion. History also shows that the political arena has been the most brutal scene of slaughter. But if there is no tolerance and inclusion, what difference would it make from that of animals, and what reason would there be for politics to exist?