The Human Side of Chancellor Merkel

Because of Chancellor Merkel’s ability to remain calm and neutral under even the most dire or joyous circumstances, the German media assigned the term “poker face” to describe their leader.  One of the most telling aspects of Merkel and Obama’s relationship was the number of times she let her guard down and showed emotion.  She fought back tears as she and Obama toured the former concentration camp of Buchenwald together, and as they shared the podium for the last time at their final joint press conference in November 2016. Conversley they laughed and joked with one another as they shared beer and weißwurst together at a breakfast among residents of the Bavarian village of Krün. During this presentation, Claudia share stories and examples of the emotional and human side of the relationship between Merkel and Obama and the special connection they share.