Top Buzz Trends
No Result
View All Result
  • Netflix
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Amazon Prime
  • HBO Max
  • Disney+
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Celebrity News
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Paramount+
    • Hulu
    • Apple TV
    • Google TV
  • Netflix
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Amazon Prime
  • HBO Max
  • Disney+
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Celebrity News
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Paramount+
    • Hulu
    • Apple TV
    • Google TV
No Result
View All Result
Top Buzz Trends
  • Netflix
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Amazon Prime
  • HBO Max
  • Disney+
  • More
Home News

EU leaders give a Merkel ovation at the final summit

by BBC News
October 22, 2021
in News
Reading Time: 11 mins read
0
EU leaders give a Merkel ovation at the final summit
Multimedia caption, Covid rules got in the way when Chancellor Merkel greeted the EU Ursula von der Leyen

Last week I waited in a crowded press for German Chancellor Angela Merkel to come down the stairs of the Egmont Building in Brussels.

She had already had lunch with King Philip and would later go to a farewell concert with the works of Mozart and Beethoven. In other words, they were putting it up for her.

“You have always kept your cool,” Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo told her as they prepared to face the media.

And she certainly appeared calm, even impassive, despite the heavy outpouring of affectionate words. Others may have blushed, perhaps even visibly amused.

After 16 years as Chancellor she has been to many European Council (EUCO) summits – 107 is the popular number in circulation.

Frankly, after all those emergency EU summits and the strange ‘virtual’ event, I have been told that it is difficult to be entirely sure. But we are talking about large numbers.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, EU leader Charles Michel gave Ms Merkel a model that symbolizes the venue for the summit

On Friday she sat at the table to deliberate for the last time. Also to absorb more compliments, some of them slightly offbeat.

Prime Minister Charles Michel has declared it a “monument” and said that the top without the longtime chancellor is like Paris without the Eiffel Tower.

He praised its “extreme sobriety and simplicity”, which he called “a very powerful weapon of seduction”.

“You are a compass”, he said, “a shining light of our European project”.

Image source, European Council
Image caption, Ms. Merkel received one of these models of the “space egg” inner shell of the Council building

He tried hard, in his own way, to keep the European project on course. To keep the family together.

This week, for example, he promoted dialogue with Poland, rather than confrontation and big legal battles.

Germany’s view, in this case, is that one can try the court way – or withhold EU cash – but that the problem is ultimately political. Therefore, so is the solution.

After all, the Law and Justice Party (PiS) is in power and the next Polish elections won’t be until 2023.

But there is frustration here, among some, with Angela Merkel’s watchful patience.

The Polish rule of law conflict with the EU is a prime example where some believe this approach has not worked.

I have heard diplomats express impatience at all speeches on this issue, with the feeling or fear that it is not going anywhere, even backwards.

European federalist and former British MEP Andrew Duff actually said he was “sad” about Angela Markel.

“He has prioritized EU unity over reforms and leaves the Union more disunited than ever, with one man overboard.”

This, of course, is a reference to Brexit. The UK’s exit from the EU, Ms Merkel said at the Egmont Palace, “grieved her deeply”.

To find out more about Chancellor Merkel:

  • The queen of the EU with a tarnished crown
  • How will the Germans look back on Angela Merkel?

So, listening to the words of Charles Michel, choose your monument.

Angela Merkel: a steadfast and unwavering figure who was that beacon of light that has largely kept the constituent elements of the EU standing, even in the most difficult moments.

Or a cautious, even indecisive, supervisor of European affairs; so determined to keep the peace that unaddressed problems are left to rot.

In politics it is not easy to make comparisons with that mysterious concept of what could have been. The counterfactual is a blank page.

But his signature is throughout the last period of European history.

In December, at the next European Council in Brussels, we will begin to understand how things could be different.

Related topics

  • Germany
  • Ursula von der Leyen
  • Angela Merkel
  • European Union

More on this story

  • Merkel avoids a handshake with the EU von der Leyen

    Published
    2 hours ago
  • The queen of the EU with a tarnished crown

    Published
    September 13
  • How will the Germans look back on Angela Merkel?

    Published
    September 23
  • What will the Germans miss by Angela Merkel?

    Published
    September 23
  • Angela Merkel: a career in pictures

    Published
    September 24
  • Angela Merkel will step down in 2021

    Published
    29 October 2018

Read More about World News here.

RELATED POSTS

Elon Musk’s Twitter Valuation Plummets to $20 Billion, Markedly Lower than Purchase Price

Paul Rudd Said he Wouldn’t Focus on Rihanna’s Super Bowl Show as he’s Worried About the Chiefs vs. Eagles Game Outcome

Adaptation of New Stephen King by JJ Abrams and Leo DiCaprio Billy Summers Is Being Worked On

This Article is Sourced from BBC News. You can check the original article here: Source

ADVERTISEMENT
ShareTweetShareSend
BBC News

BBC News

Related Posts

elon musk
News

Elon Musk’s Twitter Valuation Plummets to $20 Billion, Markedly Lower than Purchase Price

March 26, 2023
Paul Rudd_
Celebrity News

Paul Rudd Said he Wouldn’t Focus on Rihanna’s Super Bowl Show as he’s Worried About the Chiefs vs. Eagles Game Outcome

February 12, 2023
Billy Summers_
Entertainment

Adaptation of New Stephen King by JJ Abrams and Leo DiCaprio Billy Summers Is Being Worked On

February 4, 2023
Avatar The Way of Water_
Entertainment

Avatar: The Way of Water has Surpassed Star Wars: The Force Awakens as The Fourth Highest-Grossing Film of All Time

January 31, 2023
The 49ers' Defeat to the Eagles in The NFC Championship Game Was the Result of a Season Marked by Quarterback Injuries
Celebrity News

The 49ers’ Defeat to the Eagles in The NFC Championship Game Was the Result of a Season Marked by Quarterback Injuries

January 30, 2023
Famous Guitarist and Songwriter Tom Verlaine has Passed Away at The Age of 73
Celebrity News

Famous Guitarist and Songwriter Tom Verlaine has Passed Away at The Age of 73

January 29, 2023

Popular - Posts

  • Another Streaming Service Will Soon Include a Tier That is Finan ced by Advertisement s_

    Another Streaming Service Will Soon Include a Tier That is Financed by Advertisements

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Wolcen Lords of Mayhem Patch Notes 1.10 Update Today on May 23, 2023

Wolcen Lords of Mayhem Patch Notes 1.10 Update Today on May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023
Foundation Seas on 2 _

Foundation Season 2 Release Date, Cast, Plot, And Everything We Know So Far

May 24, 2023
Dead by Daylight Patch Notes 6.700.300 Update Today on May 20, 2023

Dead by Daylight Patch Notes 6.700.300 Update Today on May 20, 2023

May 20, 2023

What We Do In The Shadows Season 5: Release date, Plot, Cast,Trailer and Everything We Know

May 24, 2023
The Boogeyman_

The Boogeyman Release Date, Plot, Cast, And Everything We Know So Far

May 28, 2023
NHL 23 Patch Notes 1.72 Update Today on May 27, 2023

NHL 23 Patch Notes 1.72 Update Today on May 27, 2023

May 27, 2023
'The Idol'_

The Idol Release Date, Plot, Cast, And Everything We Know So Far

May 25, 2023
Dune Part Two_

Dune: Part Two Release Date, Plot, Cast, And Everything We Know So Far

May 25, 2023
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Use Of Cookies

Top Buzz Trends
Top Buzz Trends is not endorsed, moderated, owned by, or affiliated with TopBuzz or any of its partners in any capacity. Top Buzz Trends is an independent news website for Entertainment, Movies, TV Shows, Netflix, Games, and Gadgets, Software, Computers, Smartphones, and more. All promotional material including but not limited to trailers, images, and videos, are all copyrighted to their respective owners. TopBuzz is a registered trademark of ByteDance Ltd.
© 2022 Top Buzz Trends - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Netflix
  • Gaming
  • Tech
  • Amazon Prime
  • HBO Max
  • Disney+
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Celebrity News
    • Movies
    • TV Shows
    • Paramount+
    • Hulu
    • Apple TV
    • Google TV

Top Buzz Trends
Top Buzz Trends is not endorsed, moderated, owned by, or affiliated with TopBuzz or any of its partners in any capacity. Top Buzz Trends is an independent news website for Entertainment, Movies, TV Shows, Netflix, Games, and Gadgets, Software, Computers, Smartphones, and more. All promotional material including but not limited to trailers, images, and videos, are all copyrighted to their respective owners. TopBuzz is a registered trademark of ByteDance Ltd.
© 2022 Top Buzz Trends - All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version