World News Insights
1-3 Minute Gist
Search, personalize, or simply browse. Follow the world around you from gist and context to insights.
Who we are | Our Credo | Ways of using Lyrarc | FAQ | Send Feedback | First Letter From the Editor
Sign up. It's free and easy to use
Create an account
to personalize your feed of articles and topics.
All Topics Article
The pastor’s daughter: How a striking family history shaped Germany’s powerful chancellor
Keywords: Merkel, Gdr, German Democratic Republic, Kasner, Templin,
Stanley-Becker of the Washington Post looks at the story of Horst Kasner, Lutheran pastor in East Germany, Angela Merkel's father. In 1954 when Angela was born, her father moved the family to East Germany, then called the German Democratic Republic. The family settled in 1957 near the town of Templin in the Brandenburg countryside. He had an idealism based on the Lutheran faith and believed at the time that it was possible to build a East German Protestanism that reconciled with the professed socialist ideals of the GDR. Over three decades that faith was tested and by 1990 Kasner was known for his dissent to the state repression practiced by the GDR limiting free expression and religious beliefs. He worried about the domination of economic thinking even in the churches after the reunification.
Angela Merkel was close to her mother, Herlind Kasner, who joined the Social Democrats after reunification. Her brother joined the Greens. Merkel joined the movement called the Democratic Awakening in 1989, which merged with the Christian Democrats after reunification. Horst Kasner died in 2011 about 6 years after Merkel became chancellor. Speaking at a church in Templin in 2014, Merkel said what she believes- "God created every human being. We should strive for perfection. But we can make mistakes." To some Merkel remains inscrutable, hard to make out. This may be because she retains some of the thoughtful way her father meditated on what life was about and how best to live it.
Chancellor Merkel as the pastor's daughter from Templin in the German Democratic Republic
09/13/2017
Grouped Articles
The pastor’s daughter: How a striking family history shaped Germany’s powerful chancellor
Washington Post 09/13/2017
Opinion: German Stability and the Merkel Era - SPIEGEL ONLINE
SPIEGEL ONLINE 12/15/2017
U.S. resettlement of Syria's refugees at 1500 and UK 166 in 2015, as Germany accepts 800,000 refugees
09/04/2015
The huge difference in the U.S. and German resettlement of Syria's refugees. About half the population of Syria is dslocated in a tragedy of massive proportions for a country of 23 million- additional numbers of refugees are spread out in Iraq and Libya. The U.S. withdrawal from the Middle East under the Obama administration led to a worsening of the crisis in Iraq, Syria and Libya, and the unraveling of the fragile situation in these countries. The result is the flow of migrants to Europe by the hundreds of thousands in 2015. German chancellor Merkel will be remembered in history for the courage to say in Sept 2015- "If Europe fails on the question of refugees, its close connection with universal civil rights will be destroyed." And for rallying German society to the work of integrating refugees with the openness of educational institutions and civil society, especially in the urban areas.
Grouped Articles
U.S. Pressed to Take More Syrian Refugees
Wall Street Journal 09/05/2015
Refugees Find a Mostly Smooth Welcome in Germany
Wall Street Journal 09/05/2015
Piercing the Denial on Refugees
New York Times 09/04/2015
The Refugee Crisis Isn’t a ‘European Problem’
New York Times 09/05/2015
New York Times 09/04/2015
New York Times 09/05/2015
Angela Merkel's vision for the European Union in 2017
07/01/2017
Grouped Articles
G20: Angela Merkel sketches vision of French and German-led Europe | News | DW | 29.06.2017
DW.COM 06/29/2017
Merkel, After Discordant G-7 Meeting, Is Looking Past Trump
The New York Times 05/28/2017
The pastor’s daughter: How a striking family history shaped Germany’s powerful chancellor
Washington Post 09/13/2017
Merkel: Europe needs a Germany with a stable government
POLITICO 12/30/2017
Angela Merkel has 48 hours to save coalition from collapse
The Times 06/17/2018
Angela Merkel and Christian Democrats politics in Germany
08/24/2012
Grouped Articles
Elites Flock to Anti-Euro Party, Alternative for Germany
New York Times 04/14/2013
Merkel Offers Her Election Manifesto
New York Times 06/24/2013
Germans Respond to Merkel's 'Motherly' Side
Wall Street Journal 08/23/2013
No Clear Winner in Debate Between Merkel and Challenger
New York Times 09/01/2013
Germanyâs Political Fragmentation May Pose Challenge for Merkel
New York Times 09/16/2013
Merkel Wins Big in German Election
Wall Street Journal 09/23/2013
The story of how the migrants at Budapest's Keleti station spontaneously started the march to the Austrian border September 1-4, 2015
09/11/2015
WSJ's reporters Thomas, Bradley and Geiger tell this exceptional story of a change posted on the internet site of Germany's agency tackling asylum applications that it was no longer enforcing Dublin protocols (requiring applications to be handled at the country of first entry), and how it emboldened refugees at Keleti station Budapest to begin a march of thousands on highways to the Austrian border. The events of these days in early September 2015 led to German chancellor Merkel's later statements about the "fundamental right to asylum for the politically persecuted knowing no upper limit." It had not started that way, events and the courage of the refugees led to Germany responding in a way that could not have been imagined with "Wilkommen refugees" signs at entry points.
Grouped Articles
Obscure German Tweet Helped Spur Migrant March From Hungary
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2015
Austria Takes Role of Distribution Center for Germany-Bound Migrants
New York Times 09/21/2015
Angela Merkel Is Motivated By Decency, Not Politics
Wall Street Journal 12/21/2015
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann Quits as Migrant Crisis Roils European Politics
Wall Street Journal 05/13/2016
Merkel Accepts Responsibility for Party’s Losses in Berlin Election
The New York Times 09/19/2016
The Night Germany Lost Control | ZEIT ONLINE
ZEIT ONLINE 08/30/2016
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and the refugee crisis in Europe in 2015-2016
09/05/2015
Grouped Articles
The Roots of the Migration Crisis
Wall Street Journal 09/11/2015
The refugee crisis could actually be a boon for Germany - The Washington Post
Washington Post 09/10/2015
For refugees, it’s destination Germany - The Washington Post
Washington Post 09/06/2015
Refugees Find a Mostly Smooth Welcome in Germany
Wall Street Journal 09/05/2015
U.S. Pressed to Take More Syrian Refugees
Wall Street Journal 09/05/2015
Angela Merkel Is Motivated By Decency, Not Politics
Wall Street Journal 12/21/2015
Theresa May and Angela Merkel - personality and positions taken in 2017
02/06/2017
Are the two leaders going different ways because of different political positions even though they may have some things in common in their background?
Grouped Articles
Split by ‘Brexit,’ May and Merkel Diverge on Wider Issues, Too
The New York Times 02/05/2017
DW.COM 03/31/2017
Merkel, After Discordant G-7 Meeting, Is Looking Past Trump
The New York Times 05/28/2017
The pastor’s daughter: How a striking family history shaped Germany’s powerful chancellor
Washington Post 09/13/2017
In pictures: Theresa May’s truly terrible year
POLITICO 12/30/2017
Brexit: May puts on brave face as Tories prepare fatal blow
The Times 12/12/2018
The experience of integrating East Germany into a reunited Germany and a tighter union for the EU
09/30/2010
German chancellor Merkel's own experience with the integration of east Germany- the price paid and the effort needed from both parts of Germany- is relevant to the project for building a tighter framework for the European Union. A special reunification tax generated 1.7 trillion euros to finance the effort and rebuild the eastern part of Germany.
Grouped Articles
For Some Germans, Unity Is Still Work in Progress
New York Times 09/30/2010
In a United Germany, the Scars of the East-West Divide Have Faded
New York Times 10/02/2015
Merkel's Defense of Euro Forged in East Germany
New York Times 01/30/2011
Portugal Premier: No Bailout Needed
Wall Street Journal 02/04/2011
Merkel Taps Adviser to Head Bundesbank
Wall Street Journal 02/17/2011
Germany's economy: Angela in Wunderland
Economist 02/05/2011
Germany's new law for refugees to integrate into German society and offer new economic opportunities across Germany- learning from the lessons of the past
06/03/2016
Chancellor Merkel says about this offer that it is one refugees are expected to take to integrate into Germany society.
Grouped Articles
German government leaders back plan to push migrants to integrate
Washington Post 05/25/2016
Survey: Germany divided over Merkel's migrant policy changes | Germany | DW.COM | 21.08.2016
DW.COM 08/21/2016
Merkel Accepts Responsibility for Party’s Losses in Berlin Election
The New York Times 09/19/2016
Merkel Reelection Chances Remain Good Despite Poor Results - SPIEGEL ONLINE
SPIEGEL ONLINE 09/19/2016
Angela Merkel Must Change to Meet German Challenges - Opinion - SPIEGEL ONLINE
SPIEGEL ONLINE 11/25/2016
Germany is not shrinking | Germany | DW.COM | 04.02.2017
DW.COM 02/04/2017
German chancellor Merkel: An Assessment
09/25/2012
Grouped Articles
Germans Respond to Merkel's 'Motherly' Side
Wall Street Journal 08/23/2013
Merkel Wins Big in German Election
Wall Street Journal 09/23/2013
U.S. Pressed to Take More Syrian Refugees
Wall Street Journal 09/05/2015
Economist 11/11/2015
Matthew Kaminski: The Accidental Architect of a New Europe
Wall Street Journal 09/25/2012
Merkel Gets a Surprise Challenger
Wall Street Journal 09/29/2012
Angela Merkel, the CDU/CSU, and the 2017 elections for chancellor in Germany
12/07/2016
Grouped Articles
DW.COM 11/25/2016
Opinion: Merkel and the CDU - A throwback to Helmut Kohl | Opinion | DW.COM | 06.12.2016
DW.COM 12/06/2016
Experts say laws not enough as Germany fights bots and fake news | Germany | DW.COM | 25.11.2016
DW.COM 11/25/2016
Interview with German Chancellor Candidate Martin Schulz - SPIEGEL ONLINE
SPIEGEL ONLINE 02/08/2017
The New York Times 03/16/2017
In Populists vs. Establishment, the Establishment Strikes Back
WSJ 03/27/2017
Britain's new prime minister Theresa May- personal life and comparison with Angela Merkel of Germany whom she admires
07/14/2016
From her personal views of Angela Merkel and her comparisons with the German chancellor it would appear that May is off to a good start- especially because May admires the work done by Merkel.
Grouped Articles
Theresa May’s Style: Put Your Head Down and Get to Work
The New York Times 07/13/2016
The New York Times 07/13/2016
DW.COM 10/07/2016
Split by ‘Brexit,’ May and Merkel Diverge on Wider Issues, Too
The New York Times 02/05/2017
The pastor’s daughter: How a striking family history shaped Germany’s powerful chancellor
Washington Post 09/13/2017
Are Theresa May's days numbered? | Europe | DW | 13.07.2017
DW.COM 07/13/2017
Angela Merkel and elections for the fourth term as chancellor of Germany in 2017
11/21/2016
Grouped Articles
DW.COM 11/21/2016
Opinion: Angela Merkel’s candidacy plans are promising | Opinion | DW.COM | 20.11.2016
DW.COM 11/20/2016
In Spite of Thrifty Image, Germany Races to Raise Pensions
WSJ 11/25/2016
Angela Merkel Must Change to Meet German Challenges - Opinion - SPIEGEL ONLINE
SPIEGEL ONLINE 11/25/2016
Opinion: Merkel and the CDU - A throwback to Helmut Kohl | Opinion | DW.COM | 06.12.2016
DW.COM 12/06/2016
DW.COM 12/14/2016
We took a different way to help millions around the world build educated informed mindsets that affects and shapes their lives. For a future that is open, global and digital, with everyone having access to high quality information. We believe in the renewal of America, renewal of Europe, the renewal of India, the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The renewal of our supply chains, health, education, infrastructure, as we rebuild our countries after the pandemic. Literacy and knowledge we believe cannot thrive and grow in a world of web bots, web crawlers, or AI. This requires human curiosity, human learning, and human imagination. We take as inspiration the saying- “One has to be free, and as broad as sky. One has to have a mind that is crystal clear, only then can truth shine in it.” Every contribution whether big or small is precious- in this crisis and ahead.
Support Lyrarc from as small as $1
Terms and Conditions | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Us