Germans Miss Merkel, Their Old Chancellor, Though They Dislike Her Policies

The streets of Berlin have been unusually crowded in recent weeks, as citizens line up to view the enlarged reproduction of Angela Merkel’s official portrait that now hangs in the foyer of the Federal Chancellery. The image, a stark, close‑up study of the former chancellor’s steady gaze, has become an unexpected focal point for a nation still grappling with the political aftershocks of her sixteen‑year tenure. While many Germans pause to admire the composure of a leader who steered the country through multiple crises, a sizeable portion of the public remains sharply critical of the policies she championed, from the 2015 refugee influx to the eurozone bailouts that defined her era.Merkel’s departure from office in December 2021 marked the end of a period that many analysts describe as the “Merkel era” – a time when Germany’s political landscape was dominated by her centrist, pragmatic approach..

In the months that followed, the country has witnessed a resurgence of partisan debate, with the centre‑right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) struggling to define a post‑Merkel identity and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) grappling with coalition fatigue. Yet the surge of interest in Merkel’s portrait suggests a lingering personal affinity that transcends partisan lines, a phenomenon that sociologists liken to a collective nostalgia for perceived stability.The phenomenon was first noted by staff at the Chancellery’s press office, who reported a threefold increase in visitor numbers compared to the same period a year ago. “People are not just coming to look at a photograph,” said Petra Klein, a senior communications officer..

“They want to connect with a figure who, despite controversy, represented continuity and calm during turbulent times.” Klein added that many visitors left handwritten notes expressing gratitude for Merkel’s leadership during the Eurozone crisis, the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the refugee emergency, even as they voiced concerns about the long‑term consequences of those same decisions.Critics, however, argue that the sentimental turn obscures the more problematic aspects of Merkel’s record. The 2015 decision to open Germany’s borders to over a million asylum seekers, for instance, sparked a wave of right‑wing populism that culminated in the rise of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Recent polls indicate that nearly 40 percent of respondents still associate Merkel with a perceived loss of national identity and social cohesion..

Moreover, her steadfast support for fiscal austerity measures during the eurozone sovereign debt crisis is blamed by some economists for deepening unemployment in southern Europe, a legacy that continues to shape Germany’s diplomatic posture.The dichotomy between personal admiration and policy disapproval is reflected in the political discourse of the Bundestag. During a recent debate on the nation’s immigration framework, members of the Greens praised Merkel’s humanitarian stance, while the CDU’s parliamentary group highlighted the “unintended consequences” of the 2015 influx, calling for stricter controls. Meanwhile, the SPD, now part of the governing coalition, sought a middle ground, acknowledging Merkel’s courage in opening the borders while urging reforms to integrate newcomers more effectively..

This nuanced positioning underscores the complex legacy that Merkel left behind: a leader whose moral authority often eclipsed the pragmatic outcomes of her policies.Economic analysts point to the mixed record of Germany’s growth under Merkel, noting that the country enjoyed low unemployment and robust export performance, yet also faced stagnating wage growth and a housing shortage that some attribute to her government’s focus on fiscal discipline. “The macro‑economic indicators were strong, but they masked underlying structural issues,” said Dr. Klaus Weber, a senior fellow at the Institute for Economic Studies in Frankfurt..

“The emphasis on balanced budgets and a commitment to the European Stability Mechanism limited the flexibility needed to address domestic challenges, especially in the housing market.”Public sentiment appears to be shaped as much by personal memory as by political analysis. A recent survey by the Allensbach Institute found that 58 percent of respondents felt “a personal connection” to Merkel, describing her as “reliable” and “steady,” while 46 percent expressed dissatisfaction with at least one major policy from her tenure. The survey also revealed a generational split: respondents under 35 were more likely to criticize her refugee policy, whereas those over 55 tended to emphasize her role in preserving Germany’s economic standing in Europe.The portrait’s popularity has prompted cultural institutions to revisit Merkel’s impact..

The Deutsches Historisches Museum announced a temporary exhibition titled “Germany in the Merkel Years,” which will feature not only the iconic photograph but also archival footage of key moments such as the 2008 financial crisis summit, the 2010 nuclear phase‑out decision, and the 2020 pandemic briefings. Curator Anna Müller explained that the exhibit aims to present a balanced view, “showing both the confidence that many Germans felt under her leadership and the contentious debates that her policies continue to ignite.”International observers note that the German experience may offer broader lessons about the interplay between personal leadership charisma and policy outcomes. In an interview with the BBC, former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso remarked that Merkel’s “personal gravitas” helped navigate Europe through multiple shocks, yet he cautioned that “charisma should not be a shield against rigorous policy scrutiny.” He added that the ongoing German debate illustrates how societies reconcile admiration for individual leaders with the need for accountable governance.As the portrait remains on display and the crowds continue to gather, the German public finds itself in a reflective mood, weighing the comfort of a familiar face against the complexities of the decisions that shaped the nation’s recent history..

Whether the admiration for Merkel will translate into a broader consensus on her legacy, or remain a bittersweet reminder of a divided past, remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the conversation surrounding her tenure has re‑energized civic engagement, prompting citizens to revisit the values and policies that will define Germany’s future beyond the shadow of its longest‑serving chancellor..