German former Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) speaks with German tv journalist Anne Will during the presentation of Merkel's book "Freedom: Memories 1954 - 2021" ("Freiheit") on stage at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, Germany on November 26, 2024. Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel gives a spirited defence of her 16 years at the helm of Europe's top economy in her memoir "Freedom", released in 30 languages on November 26, 2024. Since she stepped down in 2021, Merkel has been accused of having been too soft on Russia, leaving Germany dangerously reliant on cheap Russian gas and sparking turmoil and the rise of the far right with her open-door migrant policy. (Photo by Michael Kappeler / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL KAPPELER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)