On Sunday, the last day of the G20 summit in Rome, employees of the German delegation have a large silver carrier bag with them. Stacked in it are boxes wrapped in elegant blue wrapping paper, intended for prudent helpers. On top, however, are the actual souvenirs: autograph cards from the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel. Original signed.
The two-day summit in the Italian capital was the Chancellor’s last appearance on the G20 stage, there were sixteen in total, and she did not miss any. On Sunday afternoon she appeared in front of the press, together with Olaf Scholz, whom she always had with her in Rome. Why? The opportunity arose, says Merkel, “especially in the bilateral talks to appear together and to point out that there is a likelihood that Mr. Scholz will be the next Federal Chancellor of Germany”. The bosses and their finance ministers were invited, which from Merkel’s point of view also means something like: If Mr Scholz had happened to be Minister of Economics, he would have been at home.
But she doesn’t want to let any misunderstandings arise, the G-20 colleagues naturally know that nothing has yet been decided about her successor. Merkel briefly looks over at Scholz, who is standing two meters away from her in compliance with Corona. “However, I believe that it is also clear to everyone we have met that the Chancellor will not be selected by Ms. Merkel through participation in the talks, but that he will be elected in the German Bundestag. This process is being worked on and we have made it clear everywhere “.
The heads of government throw coins into the Trevi Fountain – that should bring good luck
The day had started for Angela Merkel without Olaf Scholz. The bosses had met at around 9 a.m. at the famous Trevi Fountain, ran down a specially rolled out blue carpet to the edge, Boris Johnson in the lead, Joe Biden rummaging for change in his pocket, Merkel and Emmanuel Macron chatting afterwards, after all, the Italian Prime Minister had Mario Draghi directs the big egos all in such a way that they have their backs to the well. Ready for an Italian tradition to toss a coin in the fountain. So put a coin in your right hand, lift it, over your shoulder on the left. Some have trouble with it, Merkel tends to fly over their heads. But did she end up in the well? The Chancellor dares to look over her shoulder. Yes she is. Throwing the coin into the well is said to bring good luck. If you throw one, legend has it that you will return to Rome. If you buy two coins, it is said that you will fall in love with an Italian. With Merkel it was a coin.
Later she will thank Draghi for “that we could, so to speak, become a little bit aware of the beauty of Rome”. That is part of it, says Merkel, and it sounds as if she is looking forward to soon discovering all of these beautiful cities, which she has never been able to visit privately since the fall of the Berlin Wall, but always for professional reasons. In Germany and abroad. Merkel has always held political offices since 1990, which she led around the globe in protected hotels and convention centers or party events. She was almost never a private tourist.
The anticipation is, as can also be seen in Rome, currently being suppressed by concerns about the upcoming Corona winter. The daily increase in incidences is “very worrying from my point of view”. Merkel made it clear that, independently of the formation of the government, she wanted to advise on additional measures if necessary. “What we have in common is that we want to prevent our health system from becoming overburdened.” If the overload threatens, one will speak “at whatever level”.
It was almost a ritual in Rome that Merkel first answered a question and then looked over. Do you want to add? He wanted to add something else, said Scholz then. This is also the case with Corona. It is clear that there will be additional measures to protect against infections this winter, including the obligation to wear masks and concepts for 2G and 3G as well as the ability to enforce and control these concepts. “I also want as many people as possible to convince themselves that they are still getting vaccinated.”
Merkel is the last female head of government in the G-20
In terms of content, the outgoing Chancellor and her possible successor are close to each other in Rome. Most likely it is noticeable that Merkel sounds much more concerned about Corona than Scholz, who is probably already mentally with his potential coalition partner, the FDP. And the liberals are strictly against restrictive measures and new lockdowns.
In addition to the host Draghi, the Chancellor also praised the summit resolutions on climate protection, sustainability and the global minimum tax. “I can only say that a lot has been achieved.” Scholz thinks it is good that they are no longer setting new goals for climate protection, but have jointly agreed to “reach the goal together in the middle of the century”. In fact, the toss of the coin did not bring any particular luck to the summit. The goals are not more ambitious, one is already glad that they are being supported by all states again.
The two of them stand together on the stage in Rome in front of journalists for about twenty minutes on Sunday. Then the Chancellor turns left. It’s about ten meters to the door. She walks quickly down the path, a quick glance: is Scholz behind her? Then she’s gone. And with her the last female head of government in the G-20.