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With chancellor Angela Merkel retiring from public life, informal influence might be the best means for the region to fend for itself (Photo: Council of the European Union)

Central & Eastern Europe: What Merkel did for us

Throughout her 16 years as chancellor, Angela Merkel has been a strong supporter of the Central and Eastern European region (CEE).

She knew their challenges. She grew up in East Germany, studied in then Czechoslovakia, and admired the region's anti-communist movements, like Poland's Solidarity.

While serious differences were occurring between Berlin and some CEE governments, Merkel, understanding the history and complexity of the region, stuck to her 'open door' policy. Nobody e...

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Disclaimer

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s, not those of EUobserver

Author Bio

Vladislava Gubalova is a senior research fellow at the GLOBSEC think-tank in Bratislava.

With chancellor Angela Merkel retiring from public life, informal influence might be the best means for the region to fend for itself (Photo: Council of the European Union)

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Author Bio

Vladislava Gubalova is a senior research fellow at the GLOBSEC think-tank in Bratislava.

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