Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel used a public event in Prague on Tuesday to make a strong appeal for European unity, warning that individual EU member states would be weaker on the global stage without deeper cooperation. The remarks came during a visit to promote her newly published memoir, Freedom: Memoirs 1954–2021.
Merkel was met by hundreds of admirers at the Luxor Palace of Books, where she signed copies of her bestselling memoir. The event took place under tight security, with personal checks for all attendees and access restricted to those participating in the book signing. Merkel was accompanied by a large security team, representatives from the Goethe-Institut in Prague, and Martin Vopěnka, chair of the Union of Czech Booksellers and Publishers and publisher of the Czech edition.
Addressing the crowd in Czech, Merkel thanked readers for the warm welcome and the opportunity to present her book in a country with historical and personal significance. Prague is one of four cities selected for promotional events for the memoir, which recounts Merkel’s life from her East German childhood to her 16-year tenure as German Chancellor. The book became an immediate bestseller in Germany, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week. Since its Czech release late last year, it has sold 7,000 copies.
Later that evening, Merkel participated in a 90-minute public discussion hosted by Respekt magazine at Lucerna Palace, where she addressed a wide range of political topics, including EU foreign policy, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and her reflections on leadership.
Merkel acknowledged criticism of the EU’s decision-making processes but emphasized that the strength of the bloc lies in its unity and consensus-building. “Yes, decisions can take time, and sometimes individual countries must accept majority outcomes,” she said. “But the results usually serve everyone’s interests.” She added that a united EU was essential to assert influence on the world stage, especially in negotiations with major powers like Russia, China, and the United States under former President Donald Trump.
The memoir, co-written with long-time aide Beate Baumann, spans over 700 pages and recounts Merkel’s life in the former German Democratic Republic and her political rise in unified Germany. While it includes anecdotes from her meetings with world leaders—including Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump—German media have noted the book lacks major revelations or deep self-criticism. Debate in Germany over Merkel’s Russia policy has intensified following the invasion of Ukraine, and the book has sparked renewed scrutiny of her legacy.
Despite the controversy, Merkel received a warm reception in Prague, closing the evening with applause and a farewell in Czech.
