Farewell in Brussels
“Compromise machine” – EU politicians pay tribute to Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) on arrival for her possibly last EU summit. Photo: Yves Herman / Pool Reuters / AP / dpa
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At the next EU summit, Olaf Scholz could already represent the Federal Republic as Chancellor. Angela Merkel is now in Brussels again – and has received a lot of recognition from her colleagues.
European heads of state and government expressed their deep appreciation to Chancellor Angela Merkel on the second day of what will be her last EU summit.
“It is a great person who will leave us,” said Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on the sidelines of the meeting in Brussels on Friday. “Ms. Merkel was such a compromise machine.” If the talks did not go on, Merkel always managed to find something to connect everyone. “Europe will miss them.”
“This is someone who has really drawn Europe for 16 years,” said Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said Merkel was often a stabilizing factor when it was difficult. Merkel intervened in particular during the heated negotiations in summer 2020 on the multi-year EU financial framework and the Corona rescue package to find a common solution. The Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg called Merkel a “haven of peace”. “She was undoubtedly a great European,” he added.
Bettel made it clear that the next Federal Chancellor would follow in big footsteps. “I’m looking forward to working with the new government,” said Bettel. Merkel, however, leaves a “very large gap”.
Schallenberg hopes that the new federal government will quickly determine its course in European policy. «What does Germany stand for? We need to be clear about this very quickly, ”he said. De Croo emphasized: “Of course we hope that we will have a new Chancellor who will take on the important role that Germany plays in Europe.”
«You are a monument»
In addition to words of appreciation, Merkel also received a few gifts. According to diplomats, a two-minute video with summit scenes from the past 16 years was shown at a small farewell ceremony. Merkel can also be seen in it with numerous heads of state and government who have not been in office for a long time, it said. For example with French President Jacques Chirac, who died in 2019, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In addition, according to the information, Merkel received a sculpture of the European building from EU Council President Charles Michel as a souvenir. This has been the headquarters of the European Council and the Council of the EU since 2017. Participants at the farewell party initially kept silent about at least one other gift.
Michel praised Merkel almost effusively: “You are a monument,” said the Belgian. An EU summit without Merkel is like Rome without the Vatican or Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Their wisdom will be lacking, especially in complex times. Michel also praised Merkel’s “sobriety and simplicity”. «You are not leaving us. Your spirit and your experience will stay with us, ”said the council chief. «You are a compass and a shining light in our European project.» Then there was a standing ovation.
Meanwhile, it is not entirely certain that the EU summit, which will run until Friday afternoon, will really be the last with Merkel. Should the schedule of the traffic light coalition negotiations in Berlin get out of hand, the CDU politician could return to Brussels for the next meeting in mid-December.