Punctual and prepared for whatever questions came her way: Chancellor Angela Merkel was ready for the annual summer press conference slightly ahead of the official start time on Thursday at 11am. It has become a tradition for Merkel to attend the Federal Press Conference (Bundespressekonferenz) before the start of the political summer break, or at the end of it, and take questions from journalists. Another “end of an era” Merkel moment: every year since she became chancellor, Angela Merkel came to the federal press centre -where we work as political correspondents- to answer reporters’ questions. Take climate protection: “I believe that I have devoted a great deal of energy to climate protection,” said Merkel, who served as Minister for the Environment under Helmut Kohl. “No promises,” joked Merkel, adding once more: “It was a pleasure.”READ ALSO: Life after Merkel: Is Germany ready to think about what’s next?

Source: The Local July 22, 2021 16:18 UTC