In December 2021, 16 years of the chancellorship of Germany’s first female chancellor came to an end. It marked the conclusion of an era and a remarkable ascent—from a physicist in the GDR to the ‘most powerful woman in the world.’ But who is this East German woman, born in Hamburg, who entered the political stage in her mid-30s and rose to the pinnacle of German leadership seemingly out of nowhere? Who is the woman who navigated a male-dominated political world with apparent coolness and determination—without ever claiming the label of a feminist? Who is the politician who shaped the image of Germans on the global stage? Who is Angela Merkel?

Today, her time in office is overshadowed by new global issues and developments. The climate crisis, Russia, the war in Ukraine and the refugee question.
Given these developments, reflecting on the Merkel years is crucial, especially for a younger audience who grew up alongside Chancellor Angela Merkel. What legacy remains? Why did Angela Merkel act as she did? And how can understanding her choices contribute to our comprehension of the present situation? The documentary series ‘Angela Merkel: Fateful Years of a Chancellor’ focuses on key moments in Angela Merkel’s political career and chancellorship. It delves into failures, responsibility, success, and principles. In five episodes, it engagingly recounts the Merkel years — a period that continues to shape us until today.”

The documentary features insights from podcaster and communication expert Samira El Ouassil, YouTuber LeFloid, the creator of the interview series ‘Jung und Naiv’ Tilo Jung, Ukrainian-German politician and former Pirate Party executive Marina Weisband, journalist and Merkel biographer Evelyn Roll, longtime Die Zeit correspondent Christoph Dieckmann, German climate activist Carla Reemtsma, close associates like Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Thomas de Maizière, to name a few.