Editing Angela Merkel (section)

===2018–2021: Third CDU–SPD grand coalition===

==== Election ====
In the [[2017 German federal election|2017 federal election]], Merkel led her party to victory for the fourth time. However, both the CDU/CSU and the SPD received a significantly lower proportion of the vote than they did in 2013, and the CDU/CSU subsequently attempted to form a coalition with the FDP and Greens.<ref>{{cite news |agency=dpa |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/jamaika-koalition-angela-merkel-laedt-fuer-mittwoch-zu-sondierungsgespraechen-a-1172064.html|title=Koalition: Merkel lädt ab Mittwoch kommender Woche zu Jamaika-Gesprächen|date=9 October 2017|work=Der Spiegel|access-date=28 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015015957/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/jamaika-koalition-angela-merkel-laedt-fuer-mittwoch-zu-sondierungsgespraechen-a-1172064.html|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Paun | first1=Carmen | title=Angela Merkel Ready to Move Forward with Jamaica Coalition | url=http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-ready-to-move-forward-with-jamaica-coalition/ | date=7 October 2017 | work=[[Politico]] | access-date=9 October 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007204453/http://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-ready-to-move-forward-with-jamaica-coalition/ | archive-date=7 October 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The SPD announced that they would go into the Opposition, both due to their loss of popular support and because the idea of another grand coalition was widely unpopular at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2021 |title=Die Bundestagswahl 2017 und ihre Folgen |url=https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/izpb/336545/die-bundestagswahl-2017-und-ihre-folgen/ |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=bpb.de |language=de |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604093937/https://www.bpb.de/shop/zeitschriften/izpb/336545/die-bundestagswahl-2017-und-ihre-folgen/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 November 2017 |title=SPD: Martin Schulz schließt große Koalition aus |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/jamaika-aus-spd-will-neuwahlen-und-stellt-sich-gegen-grosse-koalition-a-1179376.html |access-date=4 June 2023 |issn=2195-1349 |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604093937/https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/jamaika-aus-spd-will-neuwahlen-und-stellt-sich-gegen-grosse-koalition-a-1179376.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Positionierung CDU und SPD – Keine Große Koalition um jeden Preis |url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/positionierung-cdu-und-spd-keine-grosse-koalition-um-jeden-100.html |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=Deutschlandfunk |date=27 November 2017 |language=de |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604093937/https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/positionierung-cdu-und-spd-keine-grosse-koalition-um-jeden-100.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The FDP eventually withdrew from negotiations with the CDU/CSU, leading to a stalemate.<ref name="Connolly">{{cite news|last1=Connolly|first1=Kate|title=Germany's SPD is ready for talks to end coalition deadlock|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/germany-spd-ready-for-talks-to-end-political-crisis-angela-merkel|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=24 November 2017|location=Berlin|date=24 November 2017|archive-date=24 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124134203/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/24/germany-spd-ready-for-talks-to-end-political-crisis-angela-merkel|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2021 |title=Bundestagswahl 2017: Die ewigen Sondierungsgespräche |url=https://www.fr.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2017-ewige-sondierungsgespraeche-90819103.html |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=www.fr.de |language=de |archive-date=4 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604093945/https://www.fr.de/politik/bundestagswahl-2017-ewige-sondierungsgespraeche-90819103.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The German President [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]] subsequently appealed successfully to the SPD to change their hard stance against coalition with the CDU/CSU, and the SPD agreed to a third grand coalition with the CDU/CSU.<ref name="GrosseKoalition">{{cite news|title=Bundestag wählt Angela Merkel zum vierten Mal zur Bundeskanzlerin|date=14 March 2018|newspaper=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]|url=https://www.nzz.ch/international/bundestag-waehlt-angela-merkel-zum-vierten-mal-zur-bundeskanzlerin-ld.1365837|agency=dpa|access-date=5 April 2019|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603170016/https://www.nzz.ch/international/bundestag-waehlt-angela-merkel-zum-vierten-mal-zur-bundeskanzlerin-ld.1365837|url-status=live}}</ref> The negotiations leading up to this agreement were the longest in German post-war history, lasting almost six months.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-never-ending-coalition-talks-break-record/a-41868786 |title=Germany's never-ending coalition talks break record |date=20 December 2017 |work=Deutsche Welle |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022314/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-never-ending-coalition-talks-break-record/a-41868786 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/04/germany-social-democrats-spd-vote-in-favour-of-coalition-angela-merkel|title=Merkel secures fourth term in power after SPD backs coalition deal|last=Oltermann|first=Philip|date=4 March 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 December 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215070203/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/04/germany-social-democrats-spd-vote-in-favour-of-coalition-angela-merkel|url-status=live}}</ref>

A YouGov survey published in late December 2017 found that just 36% of all respondents wanted Merkel to stay at the helm until 2021, while half of those surveyed voters called for a change at the top before the end of the legislature.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/english/politics/cdu-leadership-waning-support-puts-merkels-future-in-doubt/23573560.html |first=Daniel |last=Delhaes |date=28 December 2017 |title=Waning support puts Merkel's future in doubt |newspaper=Handelsblatt Global |access-date=29 December 2017 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130172208/https://www.handelsblatt.com/english/politics/cdu-leadership-waning-support-puts-merkels-future-in-doubt/23573560.html?ticket=ST-121866-QC2Tbfr4YXYWIcBgFQ0S-cas01.example.org |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Fourth Merkel cabinet]] was sworn in on 14 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2018/kw11-de-kanzlerwahl-546336|date=14 March 2018|title=Deutscher Bundestag – Angela Merkel mit 364 Stimmen zur Bundeskanzlerin gewählt|last=Müller|first=Volker|website=Deutscher Bundestag|language=de|access-date=14 December 2018|archive-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712161024/https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2018/kw11-de-kanzlerwahl-546336|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2018 government crisis ====
{{Main|2018 German government crisis}}
As part of the newly formed government, the CSU's [[Horst Seehofer]] took over the role of Interior Minister.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2018 |title=Facing far-right challenge, minister says Islam 'doesn't belong' to Germany |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics-islam-idUSKCN1GS12V |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603190447/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-politics-islam-idUSKCN1GS12V |archive-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> Seehofer announced that he had a "master plan for faster asylum procedures, and more consistent deportations."<ref name="Germany's future interior minister Horst Seehofer vows to increase deportations">{{cite news |date=11 March 2018 |title=Germany's future interior minister Horst Seehofer vows to increase deportations |publisher=Deusche Welle |url=http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-future-interior-minister-horst-seehofer-vows-to-increase-deportations/a-42925097 |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023833/http://www.dw.com/en/germanys-future-interior-minister-horst-seehofer-vows-to-increase-deportations/a-42925097 |archive-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> Under Seehofer's plan, Germany would immediately reject prospective immigrants who had already been deported or were subject to an entry ban. Additionally, the police would be instructed to turn away all applicants who had previously registered elsewhere in the EU, no matter if these countries agreed to take them back.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany: Interior minister gives Merkel ultimatum on migrants |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/6/19/germany-interior-minister-gives-merkel-ultimatum-on-migrants |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130172114/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/6/19/germany-interior-minister-gives-merkel-ultimatum-on-migrants |archive-date=30 November 2021 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=18 June 2018 |title=Germany's interior minister Horst Seehofer wants quick action on migrants|work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/germany-s-interior-minister-horst-seehofer-wants-quick-action-on-migra-dgtl-238561 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618194454/https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/germany-s-interior-minister-horst-seehofer-wants-quick-action-on-migra-dgtl-238561 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |access-date=24 August 2021}}</ref> Merkel feared that unilaterally sending migrants back to neighbouring countries without seeking a multilateral European agreement could endanger the stability of the European Union.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Jennifer |last2=Oltermann |first2=Philip |date=28 June 2018 |title=Future of EU hinges on solving migration issue, says Merkel |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/future-of-eu-hinges-on-solving-migration-issue-says-merkel |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109080406/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/future-of-eu-hinges-on-solving-migration-issue-says-merkel |archive-date=9 January 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

In June 2018, Seehofer issued an ultimatum to Merkel; as Interior Minister, he could unilaterally implement the policy without her support. Although he eventually agreed to cooperate with Merkel while she negotiated with other EU member countries, he went on to reject the EU agreement that she obtained.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merkel handed two-week ultimatum in migrant row |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/6/19/germany-interior-minister-gives-merkel-ultimatum-on-migrants|date=19 June 2018 |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422131511/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/6/19/germany-interior-minister-gives-merkel-ultimatum-on-migrants |url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 July 2018, during a meeting with party leadership, Seehofer declared his intention to resign from his position in protest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merkel coalition crisis: Seehofer offers to quit over migration |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/7/2/merkel-coalition-crisis-seehofer-offers-to-quit-over-migration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130172132/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/7/2/merkel-coalition-crisis-seehofer-offers-to-quit-over-migration |archive-date=30 November 2021 |access-date=12 November 2020 |website=Al Jazeera|date=2 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2018 |title=Germany migrants: Key Merkel ally Seehofer threatens to quit |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44674945 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919222235/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44674945 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Oltermann |first1=Philip |last2=Chrisafis |first2=Angelique |last3=Connolly |first3=Kate |date=2 July 2018 |title=Merkel and Seehofer make last-ditch bid for migration compromise |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/01/merkel-fights-to-save-coalition-from-division-over-migration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/01/merkel-fights-to-save-coalition-from-division-over-migration |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> During the night of 2 July 2018, Seehofer and Merkel announced they had settled their differences and agreed to instead accept a compromise of tighter border control.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Andrea |last2=Marson |first2=James |date=2 July 2018 |title=Germany's Merkel Secures Deal on Migrants, Averts Government Collapse |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/merkel-faces-showdown-over-migrant-policy-1530539359 |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918135210/https://www.wsj.com/articles/merkel-faces-showdown-over-migrant-policy-1530539359 |archive-date=18 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Nadine |last2=Vonberg |first2=Judith |date=2 July 2018 |title=Germany's Merkel makes deal with interior minister on migration dispute |work=[[CNN International| CNN International Edition]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/02/europe/merkel-seehofer-government-intl/index.html?no-st=1530570558 |url-status=live |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703050420/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/02/europe/merkel-seehofer-government-intl/index.html?no-st=1530570558 |archive-date=3 July 2018}}</ref> As a result of the agreement, Seehofer agreed to not resign,<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 July 2018 |title=Germany migrants: Merkel averts coalition government split |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44685727 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041134/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44685727 |archive-date=9 November 2020 |access-date=16 September 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref> and to negotiate bilateral agreements with the specific countries himself. Seehofer received some criticism for his stance in the crisis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2018 |title=Migration: Kritik an Horst Seehofer |url=https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/seehofer-kritik-1.4118914 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219125748/https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/seehofer-kritik-1.4118914 |archive-date=19 February 2021 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Süddeutsche.de |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 September 2018 |title=Scharfe Kritik an Horst Seehofers Äußerungen über Migration |language=de |work=FAZ.NET |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/scharfe-kritik-an-horst-seehofers-aeusserungen-ueber-migration-15773928.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206015557/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/scharfe-kritik-an-horst-seehofers-aeusserungen-ueber-migration-15773928.html |archive-date=6 December 2022 |issn=0174-4909}}</ref>

==== COVID-19 pandemic ====
{{Main|COVID-19 pandemic in Germany|German government response to the COVID-19 pandemic}}
[[File:Mateusz Morawiecki at the June 2021 EC Meeting (3).jpg|thumb|Merkel with UN Secretary-General [[António Guterres]] and Polish Prime Minister [[Mateusz Morawiecki]] in Brussels, 24 June 2021]]
In the initial phases of the pandemic, Germany established a crisis team to manage Germany's containment policy and pandemic response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Germany is preparing for COVID-19 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-how-germany-is-preparing-for-a-possible-pandemic/a-52557646 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216234357/https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-how-germany-is-preparing-for-a-possible-pandemic/a-52557646 |archive-date=16 December 2022 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> In late February 2020, referring to this crisis team, Merkel recommended an approach characterised by moderation and an avoidance of extreme or universal measures ({{Lang|de|Maß und Mitte}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 February 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Bundesregierung legt Krisen-Leitlinien fest – Merkel für Vorgehen mit "Maß und Mitte" – WELT |url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article206221797/Coronavirus-Bundesregierung-legt-Krisen-Leitlinien-fest-Merkel-fuer-Vorgehen-mit-Mass-und-Mitte.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312213859/https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article206221797/Coronavirus-Bundesregierung-legt-Krisen-Leitlinien-fest-Merkel-fuer-Vorgehen-mit-Mass-und-Mitte.html |archive-date=12 March 2020 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=DIE WELT |language=de}}</ref>

On 18 March 2020, Merkel gave a widely publicised speech on the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing its challenges to the [[Second World War]]:<ref>{{Cite web |title=An address to the nation by Federal Chancellor Merkel |url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/statement-chancellor-1732296 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603190447/https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/statement-chancellor-1732296 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=Bundesregierung |language=de}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Please also take this seriously. Since German reunification, no, since the Second World War, there has not been a challenge for our country in which action in a spirit of solidarity on our part was so important.|author=Angela Merkel}}

The speech was well-received both nationally and internationally, receiving widespread attention and an award for "speech of the year".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merkel COVID address honored as 'Speech of the Year' |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-angela-merkels-coronavirus-address-honored-as-speech-of-the-year/a-55984728 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410092103/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-angela-merkels-coronavirus-address-honored-as-speech-of-the-year/a-55984728 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title=Angela Merkel: Coronavirus is Germany's biggest postwar challenge |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-coronavirus-is-germany-biggest-postwar-challenge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407211030/https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-coronavirus-is-germany-biggest-postwar-challenge/ |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=POLITICO|first=Joshua|last=Posaner |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dempsey |first=Judy |date=24 March 2020 |title=Why Merkel's Coronavirus Address Matters |work=[[Carnegie Europe]] |url=https://carnegieeurope.eu/2020/03/24/why-merkel-s-coronavirus-address-matters-pub-81357 |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521090642/https://carnegieeurope.eu/2020/03/24/why-merkel-s-coronavirus-address-matters-pub-81357 |archive-date=21 May 2023}}</ref>

On 6 April 2020, Merkel stated: "In my view ... the European Union is facing the biggest test since its foundation and member states must show greater solidarity so that the bloc can emerge stronger from the economic crisis unleashed by the pandemic".<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Markus Wacket |author2=Andreas Rinke |date=6 April 2020 |title=Coronavirus pandemic is historical test for EU, Merkel says |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-idUSKBN21O17F |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215133917/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-idUSKBN21O17F |archive-date=15 December 2020 |access-date=12 November 2020 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Merkel has won international plaudits for her handling of the pandemic in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=16 April 2020 |title=Angela Merkel draws on science background in Covid-19 explainer: German chancellor excels in describing epidemiological basis of lockdown exit strategy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/angela-merkel-draws-on-science-background-in-covid-19-explainer-lockdown-exit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421061253/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/angela-merkel-draws-on-science-background-in-covid-19-explainer-lockdown-exit |archive-date=21 April 2020 |access-date=21 April 2020 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="covid19-atlantic" />

Later that month, Merkel was praised for her accessible explanation of the [[basic reproduction number]], which had been an important metric in the German government's pandemic response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Jag |date=17 April 2020 |title=This viral Angela Merkel clip explains the risks of loosening social distancing too fast |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/4/17/21225916/coronavirus-in-germany-angela-merkel-lifting-lockdown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603195519/https://www.vox.com/2020/4/17/21225916/coronavirus-in-germany-angela-merkel-lifting-lockdown |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=Vox |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Oltermann |first=Philip |date=16 April 2020 |title=Angela Merkel draws on science background in Covid-19 explainer |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/angela-merkel-draws-on-science-background-in-covid-19-explainer-lockdown-exit |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421061253/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/16/angela-merkel-draws-on-science-background-in-covid-19-explainer-lockdown-exit |archive-date=21 April 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2020 |title=Angela Merkel gave one of the clearest explanations of how coronavirus transmission works |url=https://qz.com/1839030/angela-merkel-explains-how-coronavirus-transmission-works |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603195518/https://qz.com/1839030/angela-merkel-explains-how-coronavirus-transmission-works |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref> Merkel opposed [[Vaccination policy|mandatory vaccinations]], instead stressing scientific literacy and education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merkel stresses COVID vaccine is key, but voluntary |url=https://www.dw.com/en/covid-angela-merkel-says-no-plans-for-mandatory-vaccines-in-germany/a-58250471 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407211030/https://www.dw.com/en/covid-angela-merkel-says-no-plans-for-mandatory-vaccines-in-germany/a-58250471 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |access-date=3 June 2023 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>

During the German presidency of the [[European Council]], Merkel spearheaded negotiations for the [[Next Generation EU|Next Generation EU reconstruction package]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2021 |title=Next Generation EU, Merkel's latest trick: good for Europe |url=https://aspeniaonline.it/next-generation-eu-merkels-latest-trick-good-for-europe/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Aspenia Online |language=en-US}}</ref>