German Chancellor Angela Merkel launched her own version of a podcast last month, “Die Kanzlerin - direkt” (”The Chancellor - direct”), concurrent with the international attention brought to Germany thanks to the FIFA World Cup.Asked why she chose to create one, the Chancellor responded, “New technologies like this are fascinating, and not just to young people. I also get a kick out of them. And so I would like to report to you this way fairly regularly.”
In a rare act of vulnerability on the part of a head of state, Ms. Merkel actually encourages her constituency to give her feedback. Initial responses had been negative, comparing her approach to vlogging to stodgy, public press conferences.
Lately though, with the help of veteran German vlogger Lyssa Bochert, the good chancellor seems to have lightened up a bit. Here’s hoping other national leaders become as savvy as Ms. Merkel, who plans to post regular video messages.
Hey kids, there’s even more Merkel magic. Do you think politics is for grown-ups only? No way, the Chancellor and her government make policies for everybody in Germany. So just click and learn all about terms used in the world of politics. Click your way through the world of the Chancellor! How fun is that?
The good chancellor updates her site frequently, and it streams in both German and English.
