Angela Merkel: Still-Chancellor gives a rare insight into their marriage

Angela Merkel gave one last big interview to the SZ before she was replaced as Chancellor after 16 years.

In the end, it becomes private.

Munich - Chancellor Angela Merkel rarely speaks enough about her private life with husband Joachim Sauer.

But in the last interview with the

as Federal Chancellor, she dropped some information at the very end and on the way out of the room, as the paper wrote.

The reporters asked if her husband hoped she wouldn't just sit around at home after her term in office.

Angela Merkel said: "I don't think he's so scared of that."

Because he was not at home himself or because he knew his wife, the

asked

again.

“Both,” replies Merkel.

"Firstly, he's got enough to do himself, and secondly, I've never distinguished myself by just sitting around at home."

Merkel on husband Sauer: "I think he's not that scared of that"

Otherwise, Merkel speaks about many topics.

For example, she has no fears if a Social Democrat soon leads the country as Chancellor, but she also analyzes her relationship with the CDU in detail.

Merkel rejected the accusation that it was a mistake to give up the party chairmanship in 2018, but to keep the Chancellery, as well as the impression of a growing distance from the CDU.

"Together with everyone in my party and my group," she tried to do her best.

"And now a new time begins."

Video: She can "sleep peacefully"

In the federal election at the end of September, the Union had the worst result in its history with 24.1 percent.

Since then, polls show that it has fallen even further in favor of voters.

She is hoping for more women in leading positions when reorganizing her party as a result of the defeat in the federal elections.

“We must continue to work to ensure that women are more confident about themselves overall.

Because even if there are some there, it is not the case that they are wrestling for party leadership, for example, ”said Merkel.

“If you want to be a people's party, you have to get close to parity and want it.

Men only, that no longer fits in with the times. "

Merkel: Blazers for used clothes collection instead of museums

Merkel was confident that the Union would draw the right conclusions from the election defeat.

“The result wasn't good, that's clear,” she said.

The CDU and CSU are in the process of working it out with a view to lessons for the future.

"I think they will do very well."

What Merkel will remember is also her style of clothing.

Her blazers find their way into the used clothing collection and not into museums, she explains.