It’s not easy being political in Germany. At least it’s what I’m told. Apparently it’s a fractious exercise as it matters to so many. The reality of interests, and not just opinions, means public figures find themselves in difficulty before they’ve said even a word.
However, the figure of Ursula Von der Leyen at the highest level of EU politics should support a view that Germans can do it too. She’s the first female President, so it makes a difference in that way, too.
The fact German politics is getting more radical underpins the service of politicians like von der Leyen. She’s a moderate, while her compatriots are stirring controversy. It brings feelings of uncertainty. It casts doubt on claims Europe can be resilient to radicals.
Ursula Von der Leyen shows a pragmatism that gets things done. She offers an example for people like her. Her focus on a European Green Deal promotes a way to resolve an important issue that elements like Alternative For Germany choose to ignore.
