The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel’s East German background shaped her political identity and leadership style. Marton explores how Merkel’s upbringing and experiences in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) influenced her worldview, decision-making, and rise in politics.

Merkel’s early life in East Germany was characterized by the rigid authoritarian regime of the GDR. Even the dressing and behavior code in public institutions was highly rigid, with certain pieces of clothing representing a forbidden ideological connection with the West:

[S]he was the first in her school to wear that sartorial symbol of the decadent West: blue jeans, received as contraband from her Hamburg relatives. Merkel soon learned, however, that even a pair of pants could get you in trouble. Her school principal occasionally sent children home for wearing them, telling students, ‘Choose clothes suitable for the workers’ and peasants’ state’ (12).

Thus, Marton illustrates how living under a surveillance state instilled in Merkel an acute awareness of the importance of privacy, discretion, and the careful management of public perception. This background explains much of Merkel’s reserved and cautious approach in her political career. Unlike many Western politicians who often court publicity, Merkel’s tendency to avoid the spotlight and her preference for a measured, behind-the-scenes style of leadership can be traced back to her formative years in the GDR.

Marton also points out the influence that Merkel’s upbringing in East Germany had on her career and her education. While early in her life she showed an interest in literature and languages, Merkel soon realized that an education in the humanities was futile and even dangerous in East Germany. Thus, an education in the hard sciences proved to be a safer option, leading to her specialization in quantum chemistry. When she later saw an opportunity to join politics after the fall of the Iron Curtain, she did not hesitate, as she was not fulfilled in her scientific career anyway. Nevertheless, her extensive scientific training shaped Merkel’s methodical and rational approach to problem-solving in her political career.

Another significant aspect Marton explores is the disparity between Merkel’s experiences in East Germany and those of her West German opponents. Growing up in East Germany meant that Merkel was an interloper within the political elite of post-Cold War Germany. Merkel turned this situation to her advantage, using her outsider status to approach politics in a non-traditional way, which enabled her to outmaneuver more established, but less adaptable, political figures.

Overall, Marton emphasizes Merkel’s deep understanding of the socio-political dynamics between East and West Germany, as well as between democratic and authoritarian regimes. This experience and knowledge influenced her decisions during key moments, such as the European financial crisis, the refugee crisis, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, consistently informing her policies and helping her build broad coalitions both domestically and within the EU.