Angela
Merkel is now the leader of the free world, not Donald Trump
The
US President isn’t motivated by protecting liberal democracy or
freedom, his sole ideology is Trumpism: corporate autocracy with a
populist facade. And he surrounds himself with white nationalists
even more hostile to liberal democracy than he is
Sunny Hundal
Wednesday 1 February 2017
When Barack Obama
revealed that his last phone call as President was to Angela Merkel,
reaffirming their alliance and friendship of the last eight years, he
wasn’t just saying goodbye. He was handing over his baton. The
German Chancellor isn’t just the leader of Europe, she is now the
de-facto leader of the free world.
The thrice-elected,
soft-spoken former scientist from East Germany, armed with a
doctorate in quantum chemistry, doesn’t just carry the weight of
Germany and Europe on her shoulders, but that of defending freedom
and liberalism across the world.
This is not an
attempt to be provocative or exaggerate for effect. Donald Trump
cannot claim the mantle of “leading” the free world by default.
America’s military might is not the only criteria necessary.
The title also
requires the President to be committed to the values of liberal
democracy. But unlike his predecessors since the Second World War, it
is already clear that Trump has no such inclinations. He is heading,
at terrifying speed, in the opposite direction.
Do I even have to
make the case for this? Since his inauguration Trump has undermined
and ignored judges, even though an independent judiciary and a
separation of powers is key to a democracy.
But the ban on
immigrants highlighted something far more draconian. If a President
can abruptly restrict the rights of US residents without bothering
with lawmakers or even government departments, he is in effect an
autocrat. That is exactly what Trump did and will continue to do so.
His actions don’t just undermine the rights of all Americans, they
undermine the institutions that support American democracy.
Then there is
Trump’s assault on international trade and cooperation. He is
already threatening Mexico, China and now the EU. Who will be next?
We can debate whether globalisation benefits people equally, but only
a fool would deny that international trade is a global good. And it
can only work if done on an equal, rules-based footing. But Trump
doesn’t care for those, he is ripping up international agreements
so he can bully smaller countries into submission. That sets a
dangerous precedent for the entire world.
And lastly there is
the Trump administration’s hostility towards the media. Regardless
of its bias, a thriving democracy needs a media willing to challenge
the government. Trump isn’t just hostile to criticism, in his
warped world it must be driven by lies and vindictiveness. He is
wracked by deep insecurity. When his chief aide Steve Bannon says the
media should “keep its mouth shut” – they mean it. They don’t
want a free media criticising them at all. These are words that
dictators use, not democrats.
The US President
isn’t motivated by protecting liberal democracy or freedom, his
sole ideology is Trumpism: corporate autocracy with a populist
facade. And he surrounds himself with white nationalists even more
hostile to liberal democracy than he is.
Having grown up in
communist East Germany before re-unification, Angela Merkel is the
polar opposite. She doesn’t just recognise the sounds of autocracy,
she chose to escape it.
This is why she has
stood up to Trump’s bullying and bigotry, saying on Monday that the
“necessary battle against terrorism” did not justify putting
“groups of certain people under general suspicion”. The British
government in sharp contrast has been slavish and spineless.
It’s now
abundantly clear that the free world needs a new leader. With respect
to Justin Trudeau, Canada simply isn’t powerful enough. It has to
be Angela Merkel.
Her opponents know
this, which is why the pro-Trump, pro-Putin, far-right forces are
lining up against her. We know this. And she knows it. It’s time
the most powerful woman in the world embraced her new role. The world
needs her.
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