Angela Merkel, who served as Germany's first female Chancellor from 2005 to 2021, reflects on her significant decisions impacting both national and international relations in her upcoming memoir.

Co-authored with her long-time advisor Beate Baumann, the memoir spans approximately 700 pages and will be published in over 30 countries, generating considerable international interest.

The memoir has been described as remarkable for its candid reflections on her interactions with world leaders, including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Merkel recounts her tense relationship with Trump, noting his criticisms of her leadership and Germany's policies, while she aimed to maintain a productive dialogue despite his provocations.

She critiques Trump's transactional view of international relations, arguing that it undermines cooperation and collective prosperity, and expresses her political preference for Kamala Harris.

In her memoir, Merkel discusses her efforts to slow down Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations, fearing potential military retaliation from Russia.

Reflecting critically on her tenure, she acknowledges that her actions regarding Ukraine disappointed Eastern European hopes while still inciting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel describes Putin as cautious and power-driven, recounting an unsettling incident during a meeting that highlighted his confrontational nature.

The memoir also delves into her upbringing in East Germany, where her parents created a nurturing environment amidst political repression, shaping her pragmatic approach to politics.

She reflects on her election as Chancellor, the skepticism she faced regarding female leadership, and her experiences during critical events like the 2008 financial crisis and the European refugee crisis.

The release of her memoir comes at a sensitive time for the CDU, as tensions surrounding her migration policies and Friedrich Merz's leadership style have left some party members feeling uneasy.

Published by KiWi, the hardcover edition of the memoir is priced at €42, and early excerpts have revealed personal anecdotes, including humorous stories from her university days.