Irish Examiner View: Merkel was pragmatic and steady leader

Despite a reluctance to ever introduce any radical change, there is much to admire about Angela Merkel's time as chancellor of Germany.

Angela Merkel enjoyed 16 years as German chancellor. Picture: Kay Nietfeld/Pool via AP

As Olaf Scholz becomes chancellor of Germany, political pundits will be assessing the legacy of his predecessor, Angela Merkel.

Her pragmatic leadership has been a steadying influence on the EU. On the one hand, she was the dour enforcer of strict fiscal policy during the financial crisis. On the other, in her 16 years as chancellor, she weathered a string of crises, from economic to pandemic.