4
Some meant it affectionately, others mockingly, when they called Angela Merkel ‘Mutti’. But why did everyone call the Chancellor that in the first place? We’ll tell you what the nickname is all about and what the famous ‘Merkel diamond’ means.
That’s why everyone called Merkel “Mutti”
The nickname was probably coined by Michael Glos in 2008. The then Federal Minister for Economic Affairs is said to have been thoroughly ‘mothered’ by Merkel whilst serving under her as Chancellor.
- Glos will probably never really want to admit that he chose the nickname ‘Mutti’ for Merkel, as the term is used in such a controversial way.
- However, many also suspect that Merkel earned her nickname because she was the first woman to hold the office of Federal Chancellor.
- Another explanation: Merkel once cited the ‘Swabian housewife’ as the best example of keeping a household budget. Some people presumably wanted to turn the tables on her and, without further ado, bestowed the nickname upon her themselves.
- The use of the term “Mutti” to refer to Merkel increased particularly during the refugee crisis. She was seen by many refugees as the mother of Europe, who wanted to offer protection to all her children.
- Critics and “enemies”, however, were also keen to use the term to accuse “Mutti Multikulti” of preferring to play the role of mother to refugees rather than to German citizens.
Here is what Merkel herself thinks of the nickname
One question remains, however: is Merkel actually pleased with her nickname, or does she find it rather silly?
- At a forum organised by the *Stuttgarter Nachrichten*, Merkel said of her nickname: “I’ve learnt to live with it.”
- On the *heute journal* (ZDF), Merkel once remarked calmly: “Since I happen to be a woman, masculine terms are rather unlikely.”
- She also revealed that the nickname was “anything but defamatory”, as the title entails “responsibility for the government, but also responsibility for the people of the country”.
- Incidentally, Angela Merkel’s official title during her term of office was “Frau Bundeskanzlerin” (Madam Chancellor) at home and “Excellency” in international correspondence.
