Angela Merkel: Why we should thank her


Angela Merkel rows back. After deciding that the entire country should shut down over Easter, the government decides less than two days later that it was a flawed measure. Merkel takes all the blame on herself. In my eyes, an image of greatness.

It was a decision that surprised many, including me. At the beginning of the week, the federal government announced that there should be extended rest days over Easter. People should also stay at home on Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday: a step to continue containing the corona virus. But just a few hours later, the project shatters like a fallen Easter egg. Effort and benefit would be in a bad relationship. Angela Merkel admits that it is “only” her mistake.

The uproar over nonsensical rest days suddenly turns into general displeasure. Merkel is incapable, it is “a first-rate disgrace” and the “loss of confidence in Angela Merkel” is also discussed. In my eyes a reproduced anger that has been simmering in people for a year. No, even seething and is now coming to the surface through comments, articles and social media posts. For me at the worst possible time.

Angela Merkel: Anger and displeasure meet respect and greatness

The “Tagesschau” describes Merkel’s decision to take the days off as a mistake that should not happen “after a year of crisis management in the pandemic”. And yes, after more than 12 months of waiting, persevering and being patient, all of Germany finally wants clear measures. No ideas, suggestions or just well-intentioned concepts that have not been worked out. Merkel did not prepare well enough; a no-go after a year of the pandemic.

I would also like to see clear rules and implementations that will finally show success. I do not want to approve or defend the wrong decisions of the past year. Nevertheless, I am of the opinion that Angela Merkel has not only chosen the right path with her open admission, but deserves respect for it.

Why are people always looking for inhumanity?

Since Merkel’s admission, I have read one thing above all else in the media: It was a move and the result of poor leadership. A description that needs to be questioned. Is there a move in a situation that Angela Merkel has never been through before? Especially one that we haven’t seen from the Chancellor in 16 years? Why do we humans keep looking for inhumanity? Why do we try to look for the mistake again in social media in a wrong decision that was clearly identified as such?

Yes, I too saw the plan for the Easter rest days as absurd, and I also questioned it – that such an “idea” is pushed through without thinking about all possible consequences, legal measures and effort is foolish – in a country that is electrified stands, even negligently. But what alternative did Angela Merkel have than to row back? There is only one thing: what people want right now is a time turner. You can be sure that the federal government would like it too. Should I now hold a grudge because a decision that did not make sense to me was corrected? Taking on a mistake and publicly admitting it shows greatness.

The greatness of acceptance

What am I missing? The greatness of acceptance. Because to accept such a revision by the federal government also testifies to greatness. And what would the alternative be? To drift further into the vortex of despair? Implementing rest days just because you’re too proud to admit a mistake? Many demand that Merkel ask the vote of confidence – she rejects it resolutely. I haven’t lost faith in her either.

Yes, on the whole, the crisis management of the federal government is flawed, seems uncoordinated, often like “inadequate management”, as the “Tagesschau” describes it. Of course, we can discuss the past year for hours, criticize missing or harsh measures. But this is about the media attack on a woman who has shown greatness. To fob it off as “inadequate management” because it does not fit into the Chancellor’s scheme or is not typical of politics, I see as an attack on Angela Merkel’s humanity. Because we not only have the Chancellor before us here; but a woman. A strong woman who has admitted that wrong decisions have been made. And a woman who proves that an apology can also be publicly appropriate in politics. For me an exception that I appreciate.

Let’s take the apology for what it was

My hope: Such a mistake must not happen again. But neither should it be dumped on the shoulders of the Chancellor alone. The “Zeit” editor Katharina Schuler, who shares anything but my opinion, still aptly describes my wish for indulgence: “We media, too, have to give politicians the chance to make really responsible politics. That means, for example, that we don’t put the actors under pressure to act that hardly enables thoughtfulness and thoroughness, or – if a nightly meeting doesn’t happen Result brings – rate that as a complete failure. “ Let us give Ms. Merkel this chance and let us accept her apology for what she was: humane.

Brigitteonline