Angela Merkel to Send Handwritten Congratulations to Chancellor Merz on 70th Birthday

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to personally congratulate her successor, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on his upcoming 70th birthday with a handwritten note. While Merkel will not be present at the official birthday celebration organized by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, she intends to mark the occasion with this private gesture.

Chancellor Merz, who will turn 70 on November 11, becomes the first German head of government to reach this milestone since Konrad Adenauer. The parliamentary group of the Christian Democrats will host a reception in the Protocol Hall of the Reichstag to honor him. Merkel was invited to the event but is unable to attend due to a pre-scheduled international trip.

On the day prior to Merz's birthday, Merkel is scheduled to be in Israel, where she will receive an honorary doctorate from the Weizmann Institute of Science. The institute has a special connection with Merkel, as it previously established a fellowship in her name for outstanding female scientists, following her final visit to Israel as Chancellor in October 2021.

The relationship between Merkel and Merz has often been characterized as complex. During her tenure, Merkel openly criticized some of Merz's political decisions, particularly regarding parliamentary votes involving the CDU/CSU and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. She expressed disapproval when Merz's parliamentary group supported a migration policy motion in the Bundestag with the AfD's backing.

Despite their differences, Merkel has also recognized Merz's efforts in foreign policy during his early time in office, commenting positively on Germany's renewed engagement within European and international affairs. Her planned handwritten message reflects a gesture of respect and acknowledgment, continuing the tradition of formal communication between current and former leaders.

Notably, Merz attended Merkel's own 70th birthday celebration at the Berlin Academy of Sciences the previous year, where he praised her contributions to German politics and encouraged her continued support for the CDU. As Germany marks this historic birthday milestone for its Chancellor, the exchange between Merkel and Merz underscores the enduring formalities and complex relationships within the nation's political leadership.