Title: Merkel's Departure from KAS: Is the CDU's Ballast Shifting?
For some, Angela Merkel's departure from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) might seem insignificant. But as we ponder, is there more than meets the eye? Reports from "Der Spiegel" suggest that Friedrich Merz has replaced Merkel on KAS's board. With Merkel's history with the CDU, a think tank that's close to the party, one can't help but wonder: what's in store?
Norbert Lammert, the chairman of the KAS, attempted unsuccessfully to persuade Merkel to stay. The day Merkel addressed a crowd in Halle for the Day of German Unity had a different fulfillment: it marked her last speech as Chancellor.
Merkel was infuriated by a book published by the KAS revealing that: "She, who had joined the CDU as a 35-year-old laden with GDR's history in the collapse of communism, could never have been socialized as a CDU plant of the old Federal Republic." Merkel felt the term "ballast" was like a punch in the stomach.
Following her departure, Merkel insisted that her decision was personal and not directed against the foundation. She aimed to live freely. Despite this, the ballast incident highlighted the growing distance between Merkel and the CDU. Is it retirement planning or growing estrangement? Could Merkel even depart from the party?
Merkel's "Ballast" Moment
Merkel made her intentions clear early on: she wouldn't play an active role in the CDU very long, as her successors would. Even during the 2021 election campaign, she was hesitant to join Armin Laschet on the campaign trail. She declined the honorary chairmanship and meetings, reducing her "ballast."
While leaving the CDU is highly unlikely, Merkel acknowledges the importance of her party's role and how it has shaped her life. Her former rival, Friedrich Merz, now leads the party and parliamentary group, which may not delight her, but it won't drive her away.
Reactions were mixed following her departure from KAS. Some in the party and its milieu felt abandoned, while others believed she just wanted to live freely. Regardless, the ongoing ambivalence remains consistent, with the CDU striving for a fresh start yet expressing dissatisfaction whenever Merkel takes a step aside.
- Despite her withdrawal from KAS, Merkel remains engaged with the CDU, evidenced by her recent interventions during the 2021 election campaign and criticism of the party's handling of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
- Inside sources indicate that Merkel continues to influence CDU politics despite her diminished participation and leadership role. Her upcoming autobiography also promises to shed light on her legacy within the party.
Enrichment Data
Although Merkel has left her official posts within the CDU, her influence and legacy within the party continue. The ongoing election campaign and her criticisms of the party demonstrate her ongoing involvement in CDU politics, revealing a more nuanced perspective on the distance between Merkel and the CDU.
