Washington, Dec. 3, (dpa/GNA) – Barack Obama praised Angela Merkel for being “all about the facts” as the two former leaders reunited in Washington on Monday at an event centered around the former German chancellor’s new memoir.
Obama described Merkel as friendly but reserved at the sold-out event at the Anthem for the former chancellor’s 700-plus-page book, titled “Freedom. Memories 1954 – 2021.”
“You are, in addition to being analytical and curious, you’re a very kind and friendly person. But I wouldn’t say you’re not an extrovert necessarily. You know, you’re reserved,” the 63-year-old jokingly told Merkel.
“All of you should know that one of the things that I enjoyed most about working with chancellor Merkel is she’s very much the scientist. It’s all about facts and analysis,” Obama also said addressing the crowd.
The event saw Obama, who served as US president from 2009 to 2017, quiz the 70-year-old on a minimalistic stage featuring two chairs and two small tables.
Obama explained that Merkel would be speaking German during the event, her answers then translated into English.
“You should know that her English is excellent and that we never use translators. But she is also a very precise person and wants to make sure that she gets things exactly right,” Obama said.
“The president, too is very precise,” retorted Merkel later in the conversation. “He’s a lawyer,” she said to laughter, adding that you can’t argue with him or discuss things with him “when you’re not precise. That was what I liked about it.”
The wide-ranging conversation touched on disagreements and glass ceilings, but not on the recent US election or the National Security Agency (NSA) eavesdropping on Merkel’s mobile phone during the Obama administration.
GNA