this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2026
26 points (86.1% liked)

Europe

11535 readers
745 users here now

News and information from Europe πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί

(Current banner: La Mancha, Spain. Feel free to post submissions for banner images.)

Rules (2024-08-30)

  1. This is an English-language community. Comments should be in English. Posts can link to non-English news sources when providing a full-text translation in the post description. Automated translations are fine, as long as they don't overly distort the content.
  2. No links to misinformation or commercial advertising. When you post outdated/historic articles, add the year of publication to the post title. Infographics must include a source and a year of creation; if possible, also provide a link to the source.
  3. Be kind to each other, and argue in good faith. Don't post direct insults nor disrespectful and condescending comments. Don't troll nor incite hatred. Don't look for novel argumentation strategies at Wikipedia's List of fallacies.
  4. No bigotry, sexism, racism, antisemitism, islamophobia, dehumanization of minorities, or glorification of National Socialism. We follow German law; don't question the statehood of Israel.
  5. Be the signal, not the noise: Strive to post insightful comments. Add "/s" when you're being sarcastic (and don't use it to break rule no. 3).
  6. If you link to paywalled information, please provide also a link to a freely available archived version. Alternatively, try to find a different source.
  7. Light-hearted content, memes, and posts about your European everyday belong in other communities.
  8. Don't evade bans. If we notice ban evasion, that will result in a permanent ban for all the accounts we can associate with you.
  9. No posts linking to speculative reporting about ongoing events with unclear backgrounds. Please wait at least 12 hours. (E.g., do not post breathless reporting on an ongoing terror attack.)
  10. Always provide context with posts: Don't post uncontextualized images or videos, and don't start discussions without giving some context first.

(This list may get expanded as necessary.)

Posts that link to the following sources will be removed

Unless they're the only sources, please also avoid The Sun, Daily Mail, any "thinktank" type organization, and non-Lemmy social media (incl. Substack). Don't link to Twitter directly, instead use xcancel.com. For Reddit, use old:reddit:com

(Lists may get expanded as necessary.)

Ban lengths, etc.

We will use some leeway to decide whether to remove a comment.

If need be, there are also bans: 3 days for lighter offenses, 7 or 14 days for bigger offenses, and permanent bans for people who don't show any willingness to participate productively. If we think the ban reason is obvious, we may not specifically write to you.

If you want to protest a removal or ban, feel free to write privately to the admin that applied the rule (check modlog first to find who was it.)

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
federalreverse@feddit.org
poVoq@slrpnk.net
anzo@programming.dev
EuroMod@feddit.org
26
Portrait of Angela Merkel unveiled at museum in Berlin (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 6 days ago by Wudi@feddit.uk to c/europe@feddit.org
25 comments fedilink hide all child comments
top 25 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] knomie@feddit.org 13 points 6 days ago

She certainly was better than the current chancellor. However, the nostalgia paints her much better than she was, similar to what's happening with George W. Bush. She stood in the way of many better decisions for the country and the world. She allowed truely bad people to repeatedly be part of her team, who eroded trust in the political system with their actions.

One could argue that with the current system their were no better options. But she did take part in creating/shaping/maintaining that system. She did have a lot of power to change things for the better and did not use it. Were their other people/chancellor candidates who would have used it? Maybe not. But it still doesn't excuse her.

[–] pantherina@feddit.org 6 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Everyone ignores how Merkel was chancellor when germany decided to not fund renewable energies but heavily invest in russian gas.

Or all the other things that I forgot

[–] marxismtomorrow@lemmy.today 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Shh, just because she's unironically one of the main reasons that Russia invaded Ukraine doesn't mean she shouldn't be honored. And who cares she's practically the sole reason of the rise of the AfD. And who cares that her capitulation to America campaign is why Germans are so distrustful of China. And who cares she normalized hyper zionist relations with Israel by expanding the cross training between the German and Israeli armies.

She was a chemist or something, and a woman, so how could she not be a far-left progressive!

[–] pantherina@feddit.org 3 points 5 days ago

True that

[–] Goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 6 days ago

Looks good ngl. 2010., mutti. In EU Blue. Nice symbolism

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

Slightly more conventional than the one of King Charles.

[–] notsosure@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 days ago

I’ve been in the chancellery several times and this will fit in well amongst the other paintings of the past chancellors. Looks good. She is depicted in a human way, the artistry is modern yet not over the top.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Does she only have one outfit?

[–] Padit@feddit.org 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

With all due respect: every conservative male politician has just one outfit. A suit.

[–] Melchior@feddit.org 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

[–] Padit@feddit.org 1 points 5 days ago

Hahha, great point. I would now claim: the vast majority of male western conservative politicians.

[–] Melchior@feddit.org 2 points 6 days ago

That style of jacket in different colours was her go to style. Early on and on special occasions, she also wore other outfits, but mostly this. So it makes sense to use it on the painting.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz -3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

According to reports, this was so her ownership of the portrait cannot be disputed; the painting can be loaned to the chancellery, but Merkel would be able to take it back should the far right get into power.

I wonder why she's so apprehensive of the new allies of her friend Putin, I wonder if she's jealous.

With her keeping OrbΓ‘n in power that long and Germany tied to the Russian economy, I hope she's proud of the crisis she's wrought.

I don't understand how the worst thing to happen to Europe can still have such a cult of personality.