Angela Merkel’s memoir 'Freedom' reflects on chancellorship and crises

Angela Merkel’s memoir Freedom offers an introspective account of her 16 years as Germany’s chancellor, revealing insights into global politics, leadership, and her approach to crises.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during the presentation of her memoir, "Freedom: Memories 1954–2021" at an event at the Deutsches Theater on November 26, 2024, in Berlin, Germany. Photo by Michael Kappeler/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Clarisa Sendy

Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021, by Angela Merkel with Beate Baumann

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Angela Merkel, who served as Germany’s chancellor from 2005 to 2021, holds the record as the second-longest serving leader in post-war German history. Only Helmut Kohl, her predecessor, had a longer tenure. Despite the challenges of turbulent times—ranging from financial crises to global political upheaval—Merkel’s steady, cautious approach earned her the affectionate nickname “Mutti” (Mother Merkel), a term both criticized as sexist by some and embraced as a sign of respect by others. Her memoir, Freedom, co-written with her loyal chief of staff Beate Baumann, offers a thoughtful, if often reserved, account of her leadership and life.

Merkel’s reign, spanning four consecutive terms, was defined by pragmatism, centrist policies, and a resistance to drama. She governed through multiple global crises, including the 2008 financial collapse, the Arab Spring, the migrant crisis, and Brexit, yet rarely did she evoke the kind of political passion that characterized other leaders of her era. As a result, Freedom is not a tale of dramatic highs and lows, but rather a reflection of a leader who valued stability and incremental progress.

Written in a restrained tone, Merkel’s memoir provides an almost clinical look at the details of her life and political career. While this approach could be seen as dull, it mirrors her personality—reserved, practical, and humble. The book’s tone, deeply influenced by her Protestant upbringing and modesty, is far from flashy or sensational.

Her reflections on childhood in Brandenburg—a “rustic child” who “thought nothing of eating unwashed carrots in the nursery”—are indicative of her down-to-earth nature. Elsewhere, she recounts a teenage misadventure where she fell into a lake after consuming too much kirsch, and a rather uneventful moment in her first federal campaign where she encountered fishermen while holding a turbot. These anecdotes, while not exciting, show the ordinariness Merkel associates with her experiences.

In many ways, Freedom stands in stark contrast to Boris Johnson’s memoir, Unleashed, which is marked by bold self-promotion and a more engaging narrative style. While Merkel’s narrative is more reserved and cautious, it reflects her personal preference for dignity over spectacle, and her reluctance to turn herself into a public performance.

While Merkel’s memoir is reserved, there are moments of candid reflection that shed light on her political philosophy and interactions with other global leaders. For example, she recounts a memorable interaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived late to a G-8 summit because he had been drinking his favorite German beer in his hotel room. Merkel also details a tense moment in Sochi when Putin brought his dog, Koni, to a meeting with her—a move that she interpreted as a subtle power play, given her well-known fear of dogs.

Merkel’s reflections on her dealings with U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are marked by admiration, though she makes no secret of her disdain for former President Donald Trump. She recalls wishing for Hillary Clinton’s victory in the 2016 election and criticizes Trump’s approach to international relations. “For him, all countries were in competition, and the success of one meant the failure of another,” she writes. Merkel believed that, unlike Trump, cooperation among nations could bring prosperity to all.

Another revealing moment comes after the 2016 Brexit referendum, when she questions whether she could have done more to keep the UK in the European Union. Similarly, she reflects on the 2010 financial bailout of Greece, expressing her frustration at Greece’s inability to manage its finances responsibly.

One of the most controversial aspects of Merkel’s legacy is her support for the Nord Stream pipelines, which delivered Russian gas to Germany. Despite criticism after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine, Merkel defends the Nord Stream 2 pipeline as an essential part of Germany’s energy strategy. She justifies the deal by explaining that natural gas served as a “bridge technology” to achieve Germany’s climate targets following the country’s exit from nuclear energy in 2011.

However, Merkel’s defense of the pipeline has been widely criticized, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Merkel acknowledges that her critics accused her of leading Germany into an “irresponsible dependency” on Russian gas, she shifts some of the blame to her predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, who signed the contracts for the first pipeline. Merkel, however, approved the second pipeline herself, which would have made Germany even more reliant on Russia for energy.

Merkel’s justification for Nord Stream 2, based on energy needs and climate considerations, reveals the complexity of her approach to global issues. While some view her decisions as pragmatic, others see them as a failure to account for the geopolitical risks posed by Russian aggression.

Throughout her memoir, Merkel reflects on her leadership in a world that seemed increasingly unstable. From the refugee crisis to the challenges posed by Brexit and the Trump administration, Merkel remained steadfast in her belief that stability and cooperation were key to navigating the complexities of global politics. Yet, her memoir also reveals a leader who was not immune to doubts and regrets.

Her candid moments on global issues, like the Greek bailout and Brexit, show a leader who questioned her decisions and sought to balance national interests with global cooperation. Merkel’s criticism of Trump’s “zero-sum” approach to international relations highlights her commitment to diplomacy and multilateralism. However, her defense of Nord Stream 2 raises questions about the long-term consequences of her energy policies and the risks of dependence on authoritarian regimes.

As Germany’s first female chancellor and one of the longest-serving leaders in the country’s history, Angela Merkel’s legacy is still evolving. Freedom offers a nuanced and reflective account of her life and career, offering valuable insights into the challenges of governing in a time of global upheaval. Merkel’s steady hand and commitment to pragmatism shaped Germany’s role in the world, but her decisions on energy and foreign policy will continue to spark debate for years to come.

In Freedom, Angela Merkel offers an introspective look at her time in office—one that is cautious, thoughtful, and, at times, deeply revealing. As readers navigate through its pages, they are left with a complex portrait of a leader who was not just a symbol of stability but a figure who shaped the trajectory of Germany and Europe in an era of unprecedented challenges.