Germany, and Europe, After Merkel

<p>After 16 years in power, Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany, is walking out of office one of the most popular politicians in the country.</p><p>In those years, Ms. Merkel has not only served as the leader of Germany, but also as a leader of Europe, facing down huge challenges — such as the eurozone and the refugee crises — all while providing a sense of stability.</p><p>As Germans head to the polls this weekend, the question is: who can lead Germany and Europe at a time when the world faces no fewer crises?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/katrin-bennhold?smid=pc-thedaily">Katrin Bennhold</a>, the Berlin bureau chief for The New York Times. </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>The race to replace Chancellor Angela Merkel after 16 years in office is the tightest in years. But the two leading candidates are anything but exciting,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/world/europe/germany-election-scholz-laschet-baerbock-merkel.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> and that’s how Germans like it</a>.</li><li>Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat who is<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/world/europe/olaf-scholz-merkel-germany-election.html?smid=pc-thedaily"> modeling himself as the candidate of continuity</a>, has a fair shot at being Germany’s next chancellor.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>