- Title: From Biden to Johnson, leaders praise Merkel's legacy as she leaves office
- Date: 17th September 2021
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FILE - AUGUST 2021) (REUTERS) AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR SEBASTIAN KURZ AND MERKEL ARRIVING FOR THE LAST OFFICIAL JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE TOGETHER MEDIA MERKEL LISTENING AS REPORTER ASKS KURZ WHAT HE WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THE MERKEL ERA; MERKEL LAUGHS, SAYS: "This is an extensive question." (SOUNDBITE) (German) AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR, SEBASTIAN KURZ, SAYING: "What will I take from the Merkel era? This space is not enough for that so I will try and put it together in a few of my own words although there is so much more to say. From my point of view, when Angela Merkel goes, the European Council will not just lose a leader who has formed and influenced the EU like no other, but, and that is what I have always especially valued, the incredible wealth of experience that Angela Merkel has brought to all the European discussions and debates. I think this is certainly something that all the EU leaders will miss and not just me. But at the same time, a big thank you for the enormous achievements far beyond the German border and for all the influence you have had." MERKEL LISTENING MERKEL AND KURZ AT NEWS CONFERENCE BERLIN, GERMANY (FILE- AUGUST 26, 2021) (REUTERS) MERKEL SITTING AT NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER MEETING WITH AFRICAN COMPACT NATIONS IN BERLIN CLOSE OF PRESIDENT OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, AKINWUMI ADESINA MERKEL SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRESIDENT OF AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, AKINWUMI ADESINA, SAYING: "And I think I would like to use this opportunity, Madam Chancellor for all that you have done for all of us around the world. I can tell you that you are a friend of Africa and as far as you are concerned, your name will be written in Africa in gold."
- Embargoed: 1st October 2021 15:12
- Keywords: Adichie Angela Merkel Biden German election Johnson Kurz Macron Putin Rutte end of an era goodbye
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE / MOSCOW, RUSSIA / WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / CHEQUERS, ENGLAND, UK / BERLIN, DRESDEN + DUESSELDIRF, GERMANYBerlin
- City: PARIS, FRANCE / MOSCOW, RUSSIA / WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / CHEQUERS, ENGLAND, UK / BERLIN, DRESDEN + DUESSELDIRF, GERMANYBerlin
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Europe,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA006EV3W47B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:As Angela Merkel's term in office ends later this month, international leaders praised and admired the German chancellor's achievements during her 16 years in power.
A working dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday night (September 16), while the last before the election, was not a farewell dinner, according to an Elysee adviser.
There would be another opportunity for that in Paris later on, the aide said.
The relationship between Merkel and Macron started on a slightly difficult footing when in 2017, the then-new French president made ambitious proposals to deepen EU integration - which drew mixed reactions in Berlin.
But the relationship improved from then on, with "lieber Emmanuel" and "chère Angela" working closely across the board.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted Merkel with flowers for their last official meeting in Moscow in August, U.S. President Joe Biden wanted to "acknowledge the historic nature of her chancellorship" during a meeting in July.
"Here's an exemplary life of groundbreaking service to Germany, and I might add, and I mean it from the bottom of my heart to the world."
"On behalf of the United States, thank you Angela for your career of strong, principled leadership and thank you for speaking out for what is right and for never failing to defend human dignity," Biden told Merkel this past summer.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a recent visit to Germany told Merkel "you have held Europe on course in decisive moments. Angela, I know you don't like to hear eulogies, but this had to be said today."
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz expressed admiration for Merkel's "incredible wealth of experience" which he said, "is certainly something that all the EU leaders will miss and not just me."
Germans elect a new parliament on Sept. 26 and under the German constitution, Merkel will remain chancellor until a majority of Bundestag lawmakers elect a successor.
There are no formal restrictions on her powers, though Merkel is a consensus seeker and previous chancellors have not taken radical decisions during that time.
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