Angela Merkel has almost completely disappeared from the public eye. But there is a reason for that. We will certainly hear more from the former Chancellor in autumn 2024.
Although it seems as if Angela Merkel has withdrawn from public life, she is by no means idle. She has always declared her intention to retire into private life after politics, which she consistently implements. Unlike previous Chancellors, she does not comment on current politics and has even rejected the honorary presidency of the CDU and left the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
When Wolfgang Schäuble was recently commemorated in Berlin, Merkel made a surprise appearance, dressed in a black suit and with a neat hairstyle. She greeted those present with a smile.
Angela Merkel was also present when Jürgen Trittin said goodbye after around 25 years as a member of the Bundestag for the Greens. The former Chancellor praised his achievements and once again spoke out in favor of a willingness to compromise and democracy.
In one of her last interviews as head of government with DW, Merkel assured that she was pursuing the following plan for her retirement: “rest, let’s see what comes into my head.” And so it seems that she has found a new project, which means that she is currently happy to retreat to her former chancellor’s office: her memoirs.
The publication of the memoirs – with the very significant title Freedom – is planned for autumn 2024 and will appear in both Germany and the USA. Due to this tight schedule and the approaching deadline, Merkel is currently rejecting all invitations worldwide in order to be able to work undisturbed and not risk any delays.
High-profile lectures and speeches at universities are also not in her calendar. The official co-author of her memoir is Beate Baumann, Merkel’s long-time office manager during her chancellorship, who now works as a political adviser in Merkel’s new office.