Former Chancellor Merkel speaks on Europe, security, and new political relations

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has re-emerged in the political spotlight, offering candid assessments of international relations and Germany's domestic landscape. In a recent interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Merkel addressed topics ranging from Donald Trump's political style to the rise of the right-wing in Germany and Europe's security concerns.

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A plot can only belong to one person. And if someone else gets it, I have lost.

Merkel characterized Trump's approach to international relations as heavily influenced by his background in the real estate market, where success is often perceived as a zero-sum game. "A plot can only belong to one person. And if someone else gets it, I have lost," she explained, noting that this mindset complicates understanding political processes that do not necessarily result in a single winner.

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Of course, my decision contributed to the AfD's rating rising again.

Reflecting on her own tenure, Merkel revisited her 2015 decision on migration policy, a move that significantly shaped her time in office and impacted the German political scene. She acknowledged that her "open door" policy contributed to the increased support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). "Of course, my decision contributed to the AfD's rating rising again," she stated plainly. However, she defended the actions taken during the large refugee influx from Syria and Afghanistan, recalling the sentiment of the time: "We can do it."

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We can do it.

Looking back, Merkel assessed the humanitarian situation as manageable with the help of many people and supporters. She conceded that Germany still faces challenges with illegal migration. The former chancellor also addressed Europe's security, admitting that European NATO members were too slow to react to geopolitical shifts after 2014. She recalled the agreement to increase defense spending made at the Wales summit, concluding, "Looking back, we were not fast enough," a point that had previously drawn criticism from President Trump.

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Looking back, we were not fast enough.