Is Friedrich Merca with 69 years too old for the chancellor? – The world

When Friedrich Merca started his election campaign in January, the first place he visited was Rendorf, where Konrad Adenauer used to be.

It was the first post-war German Chancellor, the legend of the Christian-Democratic Union (CDU) and a politician who called « Old » with respect.

Merc has visited the memorial area and held a long speech. Each of the present was clear that he wanted to withdraw the historical parallel.

If Friedrich Merc, as planned, 6. May be elected chancellor, he will be 69 years. This means that there will be the second oldest chancellor after Adenauer.

What does that mean for him? And what about Germany?

The Adenauer was 21. September 1949, as a newly chosen chancellor, in the Petersberg Hotel in Bona, signed a contract with three forces in the Second Stationary of the Federal Republic of Germany: Adenauer was already 73 years old.

The question of age as a political category

One thing is for sure, and that is that the future chancellor is aware that no longer belongs to young forces. In May 2024. the episode of Podcast « Hotel Mace » was published in which the guest was Merc. This format of Macea Hilcher’s leader is known to show that politicians and to show their « softer » side and to relax. Thus, Hilcher asked Merca where he sees « the biggest questionnaire » with himself, and Merc, a surprise of many, spoke of his age.

« I have no more 40, not 50 years, » he said. Of course, the question arises whether he is up to the demands of his functions – at the time he is the President CDU and the Head of the Provile for Demohrisci. It was a moment when the issue of age suddenly became a political category.

Several weeks later, Joe Biden, visibly at the year, gave up on re-candidacy for the president of the United States. Of course, Merc did not miss that immediately after that of his recognition, he could clearly put into knowledge that he believes that « without limitation is capable of performing duties ».

Some others in his age wouldn’t say so easily for themselves. Thus, for example, the famous German Satiric Harald Schmidit recently said to think that Merca will think of his new job rather as hard.

« I like to shape the afternoon, and sometimes I also have a hard time I imagine that I have to get into a new job now, » Schmidt said that the office function was not « at all easy ».

Schmidt is right: Probably there is no function with a larger factor of exhaustion from the chancellor.

What have we learned from history?

In the interview for public service, ARD, before the decision, Merci said that, if a candidate for the chancellor should be made available to him, when it was about that he physically and mentally can be sustained – and not only a shorter time.  » And to the further question he specified that in that case he would like to be a chancellor « six to ten years. »

It really reminds of the Adenauer Conrad, which, in 1949, faced a large skeptom within his age. Many and then were wondering if the former mayor of Celna too old for the chancellor? These were especially wondering those from the party who also wanted to be at the head of the government. Adenauer, known as « Lisac », then said he was advise with the doctor: « He says I could do this function for two, three years. » In the end there were fourteen!

And when he was even older, Adenauer was very vital, confirming his grandson of the same name. « He was still very forced, » said Conrad Adenauer (80). « He was also very disciplined in everything, he lived moderate and knew he went on vacation. »

Villa Brant, « German Kennedy, » who gladly posed for photographers in the garden with Son Matijas and Psa Bastiana, was happy to pose for photographers. Or on vacation on garden swing.

But Brant was not the youngest President of the German government: It was Angela Merkel, who was only 51 in the beginning of his chancellor marathon. Behind her comes Helmut Cole with 52 years.

What does the psychologist say?

Given the genetic predispositions, Friedrich Merc can hope to be long-lived: His father has more than 100, and the mother is almost 100 years old. In addition, age has to do with a personal attitude.

« There are subgroups in which body and cognitive functions remain astonishingly long-preserved, » says psychologist Vinfrid Rif (65) from the University of Marburg. « I have a friend who is 80 and still goes with me to skiing on deep snow. » At the same time, Rif says, also valid, « the » risk of cognitive falls is higher in someone who has 69 years old. There is no benefit from beautifying truth. « 

It is no longer reacting so fast, neither physically nor mental. The complex situations burden faster, says Rif. On the other hand, there are also positive things: « Experience. It is the so-called wisdom of age, which can result in openness and positive attitude towards new ideas. »

Psychologically should be viewed and how someone developed through years. « Did I stay flexible or became very stubborn? » – That’s a question. « In the United States, at current President Donald Tramp, we are currently a high degree of stubbies: a little tolerance and a little acceptance of different solutions. It could be said that these are not good assumptions for managing the function. »

What is the case with Mercza – it will only be shown when it takes office.

What does that politically mean?

One thing is certain: Given the already advanced age, Friedrich Merc is not likely to be as long as Consumer Adenauer (14 years old), Helmut Cola or Angela Merkel (both of 16 years of age). « But such long periods in operation are no longer realistic due to changes in the party system of Germany, » said political scientist Jirgen Falter, and I am 81 year old. According to his opinion, the system has become significantly unstable – on the one hand, there are several parties in the Bundestag, and the positions of these parties are much more distant than they were 15 years ago.

Stefan Marshall, Professor of Political Sciences in Dusseldorf, agrees with that claim. The following election period is always important for voters. And inside the party can even be an advantage if it is known that the function on top is not permanently occupied.

If a series of any errors, for example, he appeared to have doubts that he was appropriate for that position, then it would certainly be connected to his age.

« But besides, I don’t see that his age is a problem, » Marshal says, reminding that today is as many as 40 percent of voters over 60 years old. « We have an elderly society, and in that context we may also suit our chancellor. »

The fact that many experience Merca and per behavior and in style as a person from the 90s – does not have to be a flaw, Marshal indicates. « German political culture generally does not like too much striking person, but appreciates credibility and authenticity. It is very possible that in crisis times is given to life experience. In that case, Merc would be the right choice. »