Here is (another) tangible proof that government leaders influence their nation brand
There were Daesh militants shooting innocent people at restaurants and concert halls. There were millions of Greeks rebelling against the austerity measures, pushing European economy onto a slippery slope. There were Russian bombs falling from the sky on the civilians in Syria. There were sinking boats and crammed trains carrying more than a million refugees from the war zones to the continent that was unsure what to do with them. And there was she, with a stiff upper lip, calm and pulled together, guiding the ship that is the European Union through the storm. You can admire her or vilify her but you cannot deny it: Angela Merkel in this day and age stands as a synonym for leadership.
Germany has always had the potential to lead. Strong economy and free education have given millions the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in one way or another. But it took a person like Merkel to enhance Germany’s potential and make it the de facto leader of Europe. It was under her firm but calm hand that Germany not only established itself as the head of the old continent but also an important player on the world stage.
This is evident in the digital world as well — in the Digital Country Index 2016, it was Germany that won an award for Leadership!
This award incorporates the categories of Public Diplomacy, Political Leaders and Political Stability, in all of which Germany had outstanding results and was one of the most prominent Digital Countries.
In 2015, Germany attracted 12% more positive online searches regarding its political stability than UK, Italy and France combined. In fact, it even surpassed United States for as much as 21%.
The main reason for this digital brilliance is no other than our Angela, or Mutti (Mom) as Germans like to call her. She is the aspect of Germany digital citizens from all around the world are most interested in by far. In the category Political Leaders within the Digital Country Index, Germany is 4th most searched for country in the world, missing the medal by an inch. It is Merkel’s ambitious moral guidance, her can-do attitude and assertive, but not aggressive demeanor that fascinates many. Particularly in 2015, which was her 10th year at the helm of Europe’s largest economy, it was her response to turbulent events that counted for something, whether it pleased people or not.
Granted, no leadership position comes without obstacles and it could be argued, especially in the light of the upcoming British referendum, that Mrs. Merkel is losing some of the influence over a divided union. However, given the circumstances that arose, she has done pretty well and there is no denying that she is the world’s most powerful woman. Depending on how the US presidential election turns out, it will be interesting to see if Bundeskanzlerin is going to remain the embodiment of womanpower in the world.
