Merkel's candid take on Baden-Baden: "A tad distant from the city hub"
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Merkel describes Baden-Baden as a destination offering a slightly unconventional experience - Commission Directive Proposed for Worker Protection from Electronic Device Risks
Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel (CDU), has never been shy about expressing her opinions, and her recent visit to Baden-Baden was no exception. During a speech at the famous Kurhaus, she reframed the spa town from a Berliner's perspective: "You're not exactly next door, more like a smidge off the urban hub," the 70-year-old remarked, adding a dose of self-awareness: "I can imagine it might rub people the wrong way."
But she didn't hold back there, continuing her candid critique: "The construction sites between Stuttgart and Baden-Baden are enough to give anyone ashell shock," she elaborated.
One Book Sold Every Second
Merkel's comment was essentially a nod of gratitude to Bundestag President Julia Klöckner. The CDU politician made a special trip from Berlin to Baden-Baden during a parliamentary session week to deliver the laudation for Merkel.
Merkel was awarded for her bestselling biography "Freedom" by the market research company Media Control. To commemorate the occasion, the company presented the Gold Award for the first time. On the first day of sales in November, a staggering 100,000 copies were off the shelves, equating to one copy sold every second, according to company founder Karlheinz Kögel.
- Angela Merkel
- Baden-Baden
- Award
- CDU
- Berlin
- Media Control
Enrichment Data:
Angela Merkel called Baden-Baden "a tad distant from the city hub" ("eine Weile raus vom Stadtzentrum") from a Berlin perspective during her speech at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden.[4][5] She acknowledged that people might not appreciate this, especially since the ongoing construction work between Stuttgart and Baden-Baden poses additional travel challenges, adding: "You get quite a scare" ("man kriegt da einen ziemlichen Schreck") due to the situation.[4]
The occasion for her visit was the Media Control Book Night event on June 25, 2025, where she was honored with the Gold Award from the market research company Media Control. The award recognized her bestselling autobiography "Freiheit" ("Freedom"), which sold more than 100,000 copies on its first day of release, effectively meaning that one copy was sold every second. Merkel was praised for this achievement during the ceremony, and the Bundestagspräsidentin Julia Klöckner gave the laudation, having come especially from Berlin to Baden-Baden for the event.[3][4]
In summary:
- Merkel referred to Baden-Baden as "a tad distant from the city hub" because it is not adjacent to Berlin, and the current roadworks between Stuttgart and Baden-Baden further complicate travel.[4]
- She was in Baden-Baden to receive Media Control's Gold Award for her bestselling autobiography, "Freiheit," in recognition of its impressive sales.[3][4]
- Angela Merkel, during her candid speech at the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden, acknowledged that the town may appear "a tad distant from the city hub" when seen through the lens of Berlin, and she conceded that the ongoing construction sites between Stuttgart and Baden-Baden may present travel challenges, causing some apprehension.
- At the Media Control Book Night event in June 2025, Merkel was presented with the company's Gold Award for her bestselling autobiography, "Freiheit." The award recognized the enormous success of the book, which sold over 100,000 copies within the first day of its release, equating to one copy being sold every second. Merkel's biography was lauded during the ceremony, with Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, who traveled from Berlin specifically for the event, delivering the laudation.
