Berlin bids farewell to Merkel at the scene, "She held back her tears"

The reference news network reported on December 5 that according to the website of the Russian newspaper on December 2, in the compound of the German Ministry of Defense in Berlin, the Bundeswehr bid farewell to the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand ceremony called "Return to the Barracks Military Exercise". A reporter from the German "Der Spiegel" weekly website pointed out in commenting on the "military music send-off" ceremony that Merkel was "obviously very moved, but she maintained restraint" and "held back tears". Some of Merkel's comrades-in-arms, such as Hesse Governor Falk Boufer, burst into tears.

At Merkel's request, the military band played an old Christian carol and two other pieces of music for the chancellor in a black coat — a lyric song by German singer and actress Hildegard Kneiff in the 1960s and a slightly playful work by punk rocker Nina Hagen. The outgoing prime minister said the last song represented the "fun" of her youth.

Merkel made a brief but sincere speech at the beginning of the ceremony. She thanked all her colleagues and family members for their support and wished her compatriots courage, "joy in their hearts" and not falling into pessimism. Merkel reiterated that she had the privilege of living and working in an "incredible time". She expressed her gratitude to all those who continue to fight on the frontline of the fight against the epidemic. Earlier, she also discussed anti-epidemic measures with heads of local government. "Now, in a few hours' time, allow me to bid you farewell in this festive atmosphere after 16 years as Chancellor of Germany."

Merkel admitted that these years in power have been "fulfilling and difficult", and the epidemic has become a kind of "magnifying glass", highlighting the importance of political trust. She wished her successor, Olaf Scholtz, who will be sworn in next week, "all the best and the best of luck."

The ceremony was accompanied by a march and a grand torch parade. When the guards took off their helmets, Merkel smiled a rare smile.

According to the German "FrankfurtErtzer Zeitung" website reported on December 2, the atmosphere in the compound of the German Ministry of National Defense was solemn, and the Bundeswehr played a military song for the female prime minister to bid farewell. After 16 years in power, the send-off ceremony has been smaller than expected because of the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic , which left a deep mark on the final months of Merkel's tenure and on the country.

Even so, the guest list reflects German politics over the past 16 years, and many people come to Berlin to thank and honor Merkel. Among the guests were former Federal Minister Philippe Lesler, former SPD chairmen such as Franz Mintferin and Andrea Nalles, outgoing cabinet members, Assimir Marko Buschmann, Minister-designate For Justice, Robert Hubbeck-designate Economy Minister-designate and Foreign Minister-designate Annalena Belberg. Merkel acted relaxed, but not cheerfully, perhaps because the worries that plagued her until the last moments of her administration were too heavy.

The report also said that the farewell ceremony was scheduled to begin at 19:23. In a brief speech, Merkel said the chancellorship had put her "politically and humanly tested, while enriching her". She wanted to "encourage people to always see the world through the eyes of others" and work "with inner pleasure."

This was followed by two German pop songs chosen by Merkel, from former West Germany and East Germany, both by Berlin female singers. One is Kneff's 1968 "Rain of Red Rose Petals for Me," with lyrics that summarize Merkel's presidency in advance: "I want to witness all the miracles, and the world will transform itself and hide its worries." The other was 1974's "You Forgot to Take Color Film," a more down-to-earth song about singer Hagen's complaint about her boyfriend on the go.

But instead of singing the two songs, the military band played the songs. A religious hymn was also played in accordance with tradition. The song sounds, "Salute with a gun!" The shouts of the guards and the determined footsteps of the guards carrying the torches constitute a strange musical magic.

According to the report, Merkel never showed special interest in the Bundeswehr, and the farewell ceremony in the Compound of the Ministry of Defense was biased towards coolness rather than cordiality. This is not only because of the temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, but also because of the regulations during the epidemic. When the military music was finished and the national anthem sounded, Merkel left in an official car. In a few days, she will say goodbye to the obligations and pleasures of a long prime ministerial term.

Column Editor-in-Chief: Zhang Wu Text Editor: Li Linwei Title Image Source: IC photo Photo Editor: Su Wei

Source: Author: Reference News Network