Overview

• Angela Merkel stated in a Phoenix interview that she would still welcome the role of chancellor in principle but confirmed her political career is over.
• Merkel emphasized her resilience during crises, noting that she never viewed leadership challenges as overly complex or discouraging.
• She ruled out any return to politics, affirming that her time in office was significant but definitively in the past.
• The former chancellor highlighted Friedrich Merz’s enthusiasm to serve as a key quality ahead of his expected election as chancellor on May 6, 2025.
• Merkel’s remarks come as Germany prepares for a leadership transition after her 16-year tenure marked by navigating global conflicts and domestic crises.