Angela Merkel’s appearance at the congress of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on February 20, 2026, in Stuttgart attracted attention far beyond Germany’s borders. Although the former chancellor has formally been out of active politics for years, her arrival at a major party gathering represents a political event with strong symbolism.

Germany is Europe’s largest economy and a central pillar of European fiscal discipline, industrial policy, and institutional stability. In such a context, every signal coming from Berlin is carefully analyzed — both in Brussels and on financial markets. Merkel, as the longest-serving chancellor in modern German history, remains synonymous with an era of predictability and stability. Her return to the front row of the CDU congress hall is therefore not mere protocol, but a political message.

In recent years, the CDU has faced the challenge of redefining its identity following the end of the Merkel era. Under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, the party is attempting to strengthen its conservative profile while simultaneously retaining the centrist electorate that formed its backbone over previous decades. At such a transitional stage, Merkel’s presence acts as a bridge between different currents within the party, but also as a reminder of institutional continuity.

For international investors and European partners, the stability of German politics has direct economic implications. Germany’s industrial policy, fiscal discipline, and approach to European integration influence the overall dynamics of the EU market. Merkel’s presence at the congress sends a signal that within the CDU there is awareness of the need for unity and continuity, especially at a time when Europe is undergoing geopolitical and economic turbulence.

In political communication, symbols often carry greater weight than formal statements. A photograph of the former chancellor sitting in the front row of the congress conveys a message of stability without a single spoken word. It is a carefully measured gesture demonstrating that the CDU remains an institutionally rooted party, capable of connecting the past and the future.

Angela Merkel’s arrival at the CDU congress on February 20, 2026, is therefore not a return to operational politics, but rather a confirmation of the political capital she continues to represent. At a time when the European political landscape is marked by fragmentation and the rise of populist narratives, such a symbolic act carries a clear message: Germany remains a factor of stability, and continuity continues to be its greatest strength.

StandardPrva will continue to monitor political developments in key European economies, bearing in mind their direct impact on regional investment flows and the business environment of the Western Balkans.

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