We are in the silly season of incessant list compilations – best movie of the year, worst dressed culture minister of the year, etc. Nonetheless, these rankings appeal to us because there is something to be said about looking back and taking stock. TIME magazine’s selection of Chancellor Merkel as its Person of the Year generated much debate.
It also generated many questions to me, from journalists the world over, on what I thought of Mrs Merkel’s selection and whom I would have voted for.
So, here is my answer:
Mrs Merkel deserves a great deal of acclaim for her principled stance on Syrian refugees. On the other hand, she has failed to show leadership in bringing Europe out of its denial regarding the unsustainable Euro Area architecture – a denial that has necessitated a coup against Greece’s democracy, a third (non-viable) Greek loan agreement, and a new chapter in Europe’s slide into reckless authoritarianism.
Whom would I nominate for Person of Year? My vote goes to Nalin Afrin (real name Mayssa Abdo), the woman who has been leading the resistance against ISIS in the Kurdish besieged city of Kobani.
Mrs Merkel deserves a great deal of acclaim for her principled stance on Syrian refugees. On the other hand, she has failed to show leadership in bringing Europe out of its denial regarding the unsustainable Euro Area architecture – a denial that has necessitated a coup against Greece’s democracy, a third (non-viable) Greek loan agreement, and a new chapter in Europe’s slide into reckless authoritarianism.
Whom would I nominate for Person of Year? My vote goes to Nalin Afrin (real name Mayssa Abdo), the woman who has been leading the resistance against ISIS in the Kurdish besieged city of Kobani.
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