Angela Merkel's statement: - Exciting gathering in Berlin
During Angela Merkel's six-year tenure, she was known for her serious and calm demeanor. However, at a state banquet in Berlin, she showed a rare moment of relaxation when greeting the French presidential couple. Merkel warmly shook hands with Emmanuel Macron and even let out a laugh. Macron was overjoyed and kissed her hand in return.
The evening got even more intimate when Merkel hugged France's First Lady, Brigitte Macron, and planted a kiss on her cheek. Dressed for the occasion, Merkel had chosen a turquoise ensemble with a long dress. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron wore a tight-fitting dark blue dress. After their heartfelt greeting, the former Chancellor and French President continued their warm interactions in the banquet hall, with the latter toasting his former German colleague and engaging in friendly conversation across the table.
Close relationships have long been evident between these two politicians, as Macron embraced Merkel at her farewell ceremony three years ago. During his three-day visit to Germany, Macron has spent time visiting events like the Democracy Festival to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law alongside Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and attending a dinner at Bellevue. On Monday, they visited the Memorial to Murdered Jews in Europe. Following this, they're making their way to Dresden for the European Youth Festival "Fête de l'Europe". Macron's final engagement will be receiving the International Peace Prize of Westphalia in Münster on Tuesday before joining Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the German-French Ministerial Council at Schloss Meseberg in Brandenburg.
Since leaving the chancellery on December 2, 2021, Merkel had mostly remained out of public view. However, recent appearances, such as at the Basic Law jubilee on May 23, prove she is becoming more active again. There, she spoke on stage and reiterated the importance of democracy.
Aside from her public activities, Merkel has a reason to celebrate in the coming months: her husband, Joachim Sauer, celebrated his 75th birthday on April 19. The two have been married since 1998. Merkel is set to turn 70 on July 17, and her former Green faction leader, Jürgen Trittin, will also be turning 70 this month. The first female Chancellor of Germany is getting ready to share more about her time in office through her autobiography "Freedom", which is set to be published on November 26. The book promises to look back on her career and divulge her private life and encounters with world leaders.
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Source: www.stern.de
