Has Angela Merkel’s political style harmed Germany and Europe? As Chancellor, she navigated complex circumstances, making decisions – or avoiding them – that were neither inevitable nor always democratic, sometimes bypassing Parliament. Her "muddling through" governance eroded democratic norms rather than promoting freedom.

This book uses the early stage of the euro crisis as a case study, dissecting Merkel’s incremental crisis-management, her tactical strengths, and her reliance on media-driven decision-making. It sheds light on how Maastricht Treaty principles were overridden by bailouts and ECB interventions. Drawing from a decade of firsthand experience, the narrative blends scholarly insights on leadership and incrementalism with a vivid insider’s perspective, offering a unique window into this pivotal moment in European integration.