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Angela Merkel: 'In Everything I Do, I Aim to Strengthen Democracy' - SPIEGEL ONLINE
Brinkmauer and Pfister of the German magazine Der Spiegel interview German Chancellor Angela Merkel in September 2017. The interview covers a range of topics from whether Merkel is addicted to power, why she chose to run for a fourth term, revolving door for CDU politicians as lobbyists for the automobile industry, the AfD right wing party, the refugee crisis and the CDU's historic policy of controlled immigration, and whether democracy is losing strength.
In characteristic Merkel fashion the chancellor takes up the idea of her addiction to power by saying she is careful not to let this happen to her by reading critical articles in the press and having her staff bring critical reports. Her discussion with her constituents in her electoral district are also frank and open, more so in 2017. About the idea that Helmut Kohl's fourth term as chancellor being not good for Germany and for the CDU, Merkel responds that she has given it considerable thought. She found that she still has the intellectual curiosity to learn new things, understands that she has much to learn about how the country and the world is changing. This has been decisive in her decision to run.
Merkel believes that someone who has worked in politics should be able to work in private industry following historic practice in Germany. On the government links with the automobile industry Merkel says her approach has been to look at what was best for an industry employing 800,000 people in Germany, yet deplores the diesel emissions cheating at VW.
Has democracy lost momentum after the U.S. elections and the refugee crisis? Merkel says democracy is still strong, and that she will do everything to strengthen democracy in Germany and other parts of the world. Merkel's view is that it is important that there be counterweights in democratic systems. In this way democracy is strong in America, and also in Poland and Hungary. The chancellor cites high voter turnout of 82% in 1998, 79% in 2002, 78% in 2009. Since then she says in 2009 it dropped to 71% and 2013 72%, yet expects that with the issues in this election people will come out to vote in larger numbers.
For many years Merkel is seen as co-opting the issues of the left parties and the SPD, being careful to move to the centre. Der Spiegel puts this idea forward to the chancellor by asking her if she is the best SPD chancellor Germany ever had. In her matter of fact style Merkel responds that voters do not think of it this way, simply expect her to her job as best as she can possibly do it.
Angela Merkel and Christian Democrats politics in Germany
08/24/2012
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Grouped Articles
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U.S. Pressed to Take More Syrian Refugees
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Economist 11/11/2015
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Merkel Gets a Surprise Challenger
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Increased scrutiny of anti-immigrant party Pegida in 2015 as its message conflicts with Chancellor Merkel's message of tolerance in Germany
01/28/2015
An effort to preserve the German environment of an immigrant friendly country by chancellor Merkel, Christian Democrats and Social Democrats in the coalition government. This leads to increased scrutiny of Pegida which begins to fall apart with more information appearing about the background of the leaders in the movement.
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Germany unnerved by scores of xenophobic attacks against refugees - The Washington Post
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Some say if prime minister Orban of Hungary had not acted the way he did, the German government would have had more time to consider the situation. As it happened the German government and chancellor Merkel had to decide in a few hours. If Budapest, Berlin and other EU nations had communicated better the situation could have been handled in a better way instead of the sudden unplanned movement of refugees into Germany and Austria.
Grouped Articles
What happens next | ZEIT ONLINE
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Germany's Merkel denies change of course on refugees | News | DW.COM | 01.10.2016
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DW.COM 11/21/2016
Angela Merkel Must Change to Meet German Challenges - Opinion - SPIEGEL ONLINE
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Angela Merkel and elections for the fourth term as chancellor of Germany in 2017
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Opinion: Merkel and the CDU - A throwback to Helmut Kohl | Opinion | DW.COM | 06.12.2016
DW.COM 12/06/2016
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The 2011 Christian Democratic Union Party Convention in Leipzig, Germany
07/13/2011
It was at the 2003 CDU convention in Leipzig that Angela Merkel told delegates that the CDU would return Germany to it position of economic leadership in Europe.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 07/13/2011
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Greek Crisis Shows How Germany’s Power Polarizes Europe
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Merkel Party Seeks Euro Exit Policy
Wall Street Journal 11/15/2011
Merkel Urges Party to Help Save Euro
Wall Street Journal 11/14/2011
European Bank Chief Pushes Back
Wall Street Journal 11/19/2011
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