‘Time to take sides’: post-Merkel era needs radical new direction, says study

German chancellor's consensus-building approach no longer sustainable in crisis-hit Europe, report says

After 15 years of Merkelism" the German chancellor's neutral, consensus-building approach means many Europeans accept her country as the EU's leader - but post-Angela Merkel Berlin will have to radically change tack, according to a study.

Angela Merkel has come to embody a strong and stable Germany, positioning herself as Europe's anchor though more than a decade of crises," said Piotr Buras, the co-author of the report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).