(by Valentina Brini)
BRUSSELS - A farewell in chiaroscuro.
His compass image shines in the night that has guided the continent for more than three decades, while the cracks between the member states over the rule of law, migration and the economy cast a shadow over the future of Europe.
And who will have to take his place.
After one hundred and seven European summits, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel greets and, with the proverbial pragmatism and calmness of those who - as the former president of the United States, Barack Obama also recalled - "do not like to be the center of attention", accepts the tributes that came from almost everywhere, even from the Pope.
But then he immediately comes back to deal with reality and warns without remission that for EU leaders there will be a lot of work to do because there are more than one "unsolved problems". And the success in overcoming "the crises of the past" does not guarantee success even for those in progress or to come. "I now leave this European Union under my responsibility as Chancellor in a situation that worries me", said Merkel, citing the concerns aroused by the case of Poland. For the Bundeskanzlerin, which in recent days has spent itself speaking with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the sanctions and lawsuits will not solve the problem of the rule of law in the EU, which instead is a broader issue, all political and of perspective.
And if dialogue is always necessary, respecting common values is the basis from which to start. Because for "those who joined the European Union at a later time", however, "the Treaties were well known". However, the Chancellor does not hide the fact that the "downward spiral" of the East is a cause for concern as much as the problems of migration and pressure on the continent's economy. With the void left by his farewell that could make things even more difficult. Because, in the image used by the Luxembourg premier Xavier Bettel, "Frau Merkel was like a machine for agreements", even when "it seemed impossible" to reach them.
Between praise, standing ovations and homages of various kinds - above all, an antique lucky charm given to her by Silvio Berlusconi, an artistic impression of the EU building where the summits are held and a backpack from the famous Swedish brand Fjällräven for her loved ones walks in South Tyrol - surprisingly, in a video message, Barack Obama also appeared.
Who wanted to thank the Chancellor for the storms overcome thanks to her leadership.
And one of the many who look to her and rely on her in the most difficult moments has said to herself.
Missing in the Europe of tomorrow will be, in a word, the one chosen by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, "a monument".
As if, without fear of mixing the sacred and the profane, Rome was left without the Vatican.
