Big tattoo for Angela Merkel
Tears and moving words about the pandemic
Angela Merkel was duly adopted on Thursday with the big tattoo.
© imago / Emmanuele Contini
Angela Merkel said goodbye to the big tattoo on Thursday. In a speech she found moving words about the pandemic.
After 16 years in office, Chancellor Angela Merkel (67, CDU) was adopted with the big tattoo on Thursday evening (December 2nd) in Berlin. In a moving speech and with tears in her eyes, the CDU politician addressed those present, the Bundeswehr and their government. One topic was inevitable: the corona pandemic. “Today I sat down with the heads of government of the federal states in another pandemic consultation,” said Merkel. “Now, a few hours later, I can say goodbye to you as Federal Chancellor after 16 years in this festive setting.”
Merkel: “Eventful and challenging years”
The years of her term in office have been “eventful” and “often very challenging”. “They challenged me politically and personally, and at the same time they always fulfilled me,” said Merkel. One of the biggest challenges, however, was the two years of the pandemic. During this time it became clear “how important trust in politics, science and social discourse is, but also how fragile it can be,” the 67-year-old recalled.
Her political work “would not have been possible without the diverse support of her political companions, both nationally and internationally,” she emphasized. Now it is up to the following government to “find answers to the challenges that lie ahead”, it finally addressed directly to Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz (63, SPD), who was also present. She is convinced “that we can continue to shape the future well if we do not treat ourselves with displeasure, with resentment, with pessimism, but rather […] go to work with happiness in your heart “.
March, background music and the German national anthem
Merkel’s moving words were followed by the march of the torchbearers, the presentation of the document from the Ministry of Defense and the musical accompaniment by the orchestra. As announced in advance and requested by Merkel, the three songs “You forgot the color film” by Nina Hagen, “For me it should rain red roses” by Hildegard Knef and the hymn “Great God, we praise you” were played.
The military ceremony finally found its farewell with the German national anthem and thunderous applause for the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel.