When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

You've reached your limit of one free article.

Get unlimited access to Worldcrunch

You can cancel anytime .

SUBSCRIBERS BENEFITS

Exclusive International news coverage

Ad-free experience NEW

Weekly digital Magazine NEW

9 daily & weekly Newsletters

Access to Worldcrunch archives

Free trial

30-days free access, then $2.90
per month.

Annual Access BEST VALUE

$19.90 per year, save $14.90 compared to monthly billing.save $14.90.

Subscribe to Worldcrunch
Germany

Three (German) Cheers For The Ever Underestimated Angela Merkel

Op-Ed: Germany's relative economic strength and Angela Merkel's steady leadership on the debt crisis are being lauded around the world. Now it's time that Merkel gets some overdue respect from her own citizens.

Three (German) Cheers For The Ever Underestimated Angela Merkel
Ulf Poschardt

BERLIN - The world views Germany right now with more than a little envy. The country weathered well the 2008 global economic crisis, its budget is pretty much on-track, unemployment is shrinking, and the head of government is a woman who has both the ambition and the disposition to show badly indebted countries a minimum of economic decency in bailing out the euro.

But little value is attached to these efforts in Germany. In fact, something of a grousing, even supercilious tone is to be heard in criticisms of Angela Merkel and her government. Put simply, one could speak of a basic lack of respect for the nation's chancellor even as she works tirelessly to ensure that the foundations of Germany's prosperity are not lost.

In presenting the facts to the Bundestag before leaving for Brussels, Merkel once again used an unemotional, factual tone in sharp contrast to the excitability of many experts and populists. Stoically, with just a trace of leavening humor, she presented the outlines of her approach with every effort to be as clear as possible.

The tendency of states to leave the tab for someone else to pick up must come to an end, conditions for sustainable growth have to be created, while at the same time the European Central Bank's ominous tendency to print more and more money has to be stopped, Merkel said.

The bailout plans were admirably presented by her not as some kind of wise final decision, but as a result of realistically arranged and workable compromise strategies.

Germans have to trust their chancellor – trust that she will savvily represent their interests that cannot be separated from those of Europe. There is plenty to criticize about Merkel, such as her marked preference for flying by sight. But in the present situation, it is in Germany's interest to wish her luck, endurance and perseverance.

Read the original article in German

Photo - Bundeswehr-Fotos Wir.Dienen.Deutschland.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

Society

Is Disney's "Wish" Spreading A Subtle Anti-Christian Message To Kids?

Disney's new movie "Wish" is being touted as a new children's blockbuster to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. But some Christians may see the portrayal of the villain as God-like and turning wishes into prayers as the ultimate denial of the true message of Christmas.

photo of a kid running out of a church

For the Christmas holiday season?

Joseph Holmes

Christians have always had a love-hate relationship with Disney since I can remember. Growing up in the Christian culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, all the Christian parents I knew loved watching Disney movies with their kids – but have always had an uncomfortable relationship with some of its messages. It was due to the constant Disney tropes of “follow your heart philosophy” and “junior knows best” disdain for authority figures like parents that angered so many. Even so, most Christians felt the benefits had outweighed the costs.

That all seems to have changed as of late, with Disney being hit more and more by claims from conservatives (including Christian conservatives) that Disney is pushing more and more radical progressive social agendas, This has coincided with a steep drop at the box office for Disney.

Keep reading...Show less

The latest