Jean-Claude Juncker, who is set to leave his top EU job on 31 October, has praised the long-time head of Germany, with whom he has worked side by side since 2014. He dubbed Angela Merkel, who is expected to leave her post as chancellor in 2021, an “endearing work of art” and predicted a bright future for her in the EU leadership.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has revealed his belief that Angela Merkel, after finishing her term as Germany’s chancellor, will take on a role at the EU level in an interview with Germany’s Funke Media Group.
“I cannot imagine Angela Merkel disappearing into the thin air. She is not only a respected person, but an endearing work of art”, he said.
The current EU head, who is bound to leave his post when it ends on 31 October, noted that she “would be highly qualified” for a top post within the EU
Merkel’s term as the German chancellor ends in 2021. In December 2018, she stepped down as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union, vacating the post for her long-time ally Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, stating that she will not run for re-election for the country’s top job. Since then, there has been speculation about her shifting to Brussels, although she has claimed that she does not plan to continue her career in any political office.