Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing serious backlash after allegations surfaced that she hid a crucial intelligence report regarding the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. This report, from Germany’s foreign intelligence service, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), suggested there was an 80% to 95% chance that the virus came from a lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
The findings were revealed in a joint investigation by two German newspapers, Süddeutsche Zeitung and Die Zeit. According to the report, Merkel learned about these conclusions in 2020 but chose to keep them secret. Analysts believe she made this decision partly to avoid aiding then-President Donald Trump, who was vocal about blaming China for the pandemic as he sought re-election.
This revelation could further damage Merkel’s already declining approval ratings. Many Germans are upset with her leadership, particularly in light of her controversial policies that have impacted the country and Europe. Recently, Merkel released a memoir that some critics argue is an attempt to salvage her reputation, but it appears to be backfiring. The book has drawn ire even from her supporters, who feel she lacks self-reflection regarding her decisions, including her open-door policy for refugees.
In her memoir, Merkel stated that it was "fully irrelevant" whether the refugees had a right to stay in Germany when she allowed millions to enter. She attributed the challenges of integration, increased welfare costs, and rising crime to the German people’s unwillingness to adapt. Since she implemented her immigration policy, Germany has seen a significant influx of refugees, with around 400,000 arriving each year.
The fallout from her memoir has led some members of her Christian Democratic Party to blame her directly for the current issues facing the nation. Former senior official Nico Lange expressed concern that her book, which lacks humility, is harming the party during a time of economic and political turmoil. Merkel’s approval ratings have plummeted since her time in office, and many of her former allies are distancing themselves from her.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these revelations will affect Merkel’s legacy and the political landscape in Germany.