This is an OZY Special Briefing, an extension of the Presidential Daily Brief. The Special Briefing tells you what you need to know about an important issue, individual or story that is making news. Each one serves up an interesting selection of facts, opinions, images and videos in order to catch you up and vault you ahead. WHAT TO KNOW What happened? German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 64, announced on Monday that she would step down as leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Party (CDU) in December and would not seek re-election in 2021. On live television, the leader that millions of Germans call Mutti, or Mother, informed her constituents that they would have to “get ready for the time after me.” Merkel’s move came just hours after her party’s disastrous electoral showing in the western state of Hesse. Why does it matter? Chancellor Merkel has been a rock in German and European politics for well over a decade, and whether she clings to power until the end of her term in 2021 or is pushed out by an election or party rivals before then, the Merkel era is drawing to a close. Some observers worry Merkel’s exit will leave Germany less able to lead the continent as Europe deals with Brexit, budget chaos in Italy and a continuing migrant crisis. Merkel’s government has been a guiding force in Europe on economic and foreign policy. |