Much of Europe is preoccupied with the upcoming elections in Germany and wondering what the Social Democrats will do if they win. The received wisdom is, probably not much… and possibly very much. Such is Germany’s notorious ‘dynamic immobility’.
Gradual political departures are captivating, and not just because they can pack a surprise or two. Angela Merkel has drawn praise for pulling off the longest and most placid political goodbye since Fidel Castro, or possibly Deng Xiaoping, even though she had neither a one-party state nor a bridge association to help ease her way.
Several other possible departures are on the calendar. There will be parliamentary and/or presidential elections in Canada, Iraq, and then France, India, and the USA. The world may look rather different this time next year; or not.
Which leads one to mention one of the longest departures of all: that of baby-boomer politicians. The world can’t seem to get rid of them. Yet, the only ones who look to be staying put for a while longer are Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.
Still, there may be surprises.
Postscript: Speaking of long departures, Talleyrand is grateful for the kind notes from readers who picked up on the reference to Konrad Adenauer’s post-Suez advice to Guy Mollet: ‘Europe will be your revenge’. Also to those who responded about Kipling. Much obliged.