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Merkel and Corbyn: There’s Room for Decency in Public Life

Published

8 years ago

September 30, 2017

~By Saeed Naqvi

Two developments in Europe this week have brought cheer. First, Angela Merkel has held onto her job (even though only by the skin of her teeth). Secondly, the very citadel of western capitalism, The Economist, has editorially welcomed Jeremy Corbyn, a socialist in the Michael Foot mould, as Britain’s next Prime Minister, whenever elections take place. There is a stamp size photograph of Corbyn standing at 10 Downing Street, without a neck tie, of course.

It is maliciously reported that smoke billowed out of Lord Peter Mandelson’s ears after he read the editorial while holidaying on an oligarch’s yacht. Tony Blair’s favourite sidekick and one of the architects of the now defunct New Labour, had sworn in 2015, that he would work hard to “undermine Corbyn”.

It is not that The Economist has suddenly turned pink. It is doing the best it can to cope with altered circumstances: if you can’t beat them, join them.

The trophy for prescience must go to Chris Mullin, writer and former Labour MP. In 2015, Mullin wrote an imaginary piece in The Guardian under the heading:

“All hail the Bearded One! The first 100 days of Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister”.

“To general astonishment, among the early visitors to Downing Street is a grim-faced Rupert Murdoch. He is closeted with the new prime minister for more than an hour, at the end of which the following announcement is made.”

“First, that the Broadcasting Acts are amended, requiring Sky to compete on a level playing field with the main terrestrial TV channels. And secondly, that he relinquishes control of all his British newspapers which will, in future, be managed by a trust in which no single shareholder will have a controlling interest. Mr. Murdoch has accepted these conditions. Our discussions were amicable.”

While Corbyn is still in the realm of speculation, the historic German elections have stirred up the heart of Europe. From the wreckage around her, emerges Angela Merkel as a fourth term German Chancellor, testimony to the compelling power of decency in public life. If she were not a hardnosed politician also she would not be where she is – a titanic figure in world affairs. But a premium she places on moral and ethical values in decision making, shines through. This fourth term is her trophy on that count.

Daughter of a vicar in East Germany, her background has been something of an asset for her. It is the abiding Christian in her, in the highest sense of the term, that enabled her to rise above the din and keep compassion as an ingredient in her decision to accord hospitality to hapless Arab and North Africa migrants – totally against the prevailing political current.

She is too intuitive not to have known that she would be made to pay a price for her decision. As a consequence, the Bundestag will have for the first the ultra right wing AFD (Alternative for Germany) with 94 seats, making it the country’s third largest party much of it at Merkel’s cost. Marine Le Pen in France or Geet Wilder in the Netherlands also represent narrow, anti immigrant Xenophobia. In Germany the AFD resonates more frightfully. It stirs images of Nazism. But it would be a mistake to paint all the one million voters who moved away from the ruling Christian Democrats, with the same brush.

Let me add in parenthesis: voters moved away from CDU and its Bavarian partner, CSU, but, please note, much the largest number of the vote did not shift. They stayed with Angela Merkel. It must be put down to Merkel magic that in a House of 709, she still has 246 seats despite her immigration policy. But she is still 109 short of a majority. “One thing is clear” she announced with good natured mischief in her eyes. “They can’t form a government without us.”

By the same token, she cannot form a government without them. The Social Democrats who were with her in a grand coalition in the outgoing government, have been decimated. They have decided to sit in the opposition.

If Merkel lost 8.5% of her vote because of her calculated decency, Martin Schulz of SPD is kicking himself for having lost 5.2% of his vote for the sin of looking like CDU’s B team. The fate of the Spanish Socialist party leader Pedro Sanchez must have haunted him. After two deadlocked elections, Sanchez was persuaded to abstain from a vote, enabling the Peoples Party Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to sail through. Sanchez now looks a cipher in public life. Schulz wishes to escape that fate. There is accidental altruism in his decision too. By choosing to be in the opposition with 153 seats, he has effectively blocked AFD from taking the pulpit as leader of the opposition.

All of Merkel’s negotiating skills will be brought into play to forge what in German parlance is called a “Jamaica” coalition – black, yellow and Green representing the colours of CDU, FDP and Green. The combination happens to be the colour of the Jamaican flag.

How will Merkel reconcile her gentler, market approach to the Liberal, FDP leader, Christian Lindner’s unbridled capitalism?

Will there be difficulty striking a rapport with the Green’s Katrin Goring-Eckardt on environmental issues? Merkel did not hesitate calling off nuclear energy for Germany quite instinctively as soon as she witnessed Japan’s Fukushima disaster.

She will also work very hard to retrieve the million or so voters who drifted away from her because of her being “soft” on immigration. A hunch on Merkel is that she will not compromise on her core beliefs. One such belief concerns immigration. Refugees fleeing from the post 9/11 West Asian wars strike a very Christian chord with her.

Being practical, she will not accelerate migration; she will facilitate migrant leaders, NGOs, in establishing model migrant settlements. Unnecessary gestures unpopular with the electorate, will be discarded. She has already spoken with her usual honesty that talks with Turkey should be suspended on European entry. Where is the point in sustaining a dialogue with Turkey when nobody in Europe is willing to give up the medieval aversion to the “Turk”. Decades ago, French President Giscard d’Estaing declared with stunning candour: “European civilization is Christian civilization”. In it there was no room for a Muslim Turkey. Those were days when Turkey’s case could be supported because it still donned the secular cloak of Ataturk. Now Europe considers such support untenable: Turkey is quite transparently, Muslim Brotherhood.

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Nearly 2,000 killed as Iran acknowledges high death toll in nationwide protests

Iran has for the first time acknowledged that nearly 2,000 people were killed during nationwide protests sparked by economic distress, as authorities continue a strict security crackdown.

Published

2 hours ago

January 13, 2026

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Iran has acknowledged for the first time that close to 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during two weeks of widespread protests across the country, according to an Iranian official.

The official said the deaths occurred amid violent clashes during nationwide unrest that erupted over worsening economic conditions. The figure marks the highest acknowledged toll so far from the current wave of demonstrations, which has posed one of the most serious internal challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.

Official blames “terrorists” for violence

According to the official, those described as “terrorists” were responsible for the deaths of both protesters and security personnel. However, no detailed breakdown was provided regarding how many civilians or security forces were killed.

Iran’s clerical leadership has accused the United States and Israel of instigating unrest in the country, alleging that external actors exploited public anger and escalated the demonstrations into violent confrontations.

Dual approach to protests

Authorities have attempted to balance their response by distinguishing between what they describe as legitimate protests over economic hardship and acts of violence. While acknowledging public frustration over living conditions, the government has simultaneously enforced a strict security crackdown to contain the unrest.

The protests are reported to be the most significant challenge to the Iranian establishment in at least three years and come at a time of heightened international pressure following military strikes by the US and Israel last year.

Rights groups cite arrests and casualties

Human rights organisations had earlier reported that hundreds of people were killed during the protests and said thousands were detained as security forces moved to suppress demonstrations across several cities.

The flow of information from inside Iran has been severely restricted due to communications curbs, including recent internet blackouts, making independent verification difficult.

Clashes captured on video

Despite restrictions, multiple videos circulating online have shown intense nighttime clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Some of these visuals, verified by media, depict gunfire, burning vehicles, and damage to buildings, highlighting the scale of violence during the unrest.

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Khamenei warns US against deceitful actions as Trump announces 25% tariff threat

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States against “deceitful actions” after Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff threat, as protests continue to challenge Iran’s leadership.

Published

13 hours ago

January 13, 2026

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the United States to stop what he described as “deceitful actions” and reliance on “traitorous hirelings,” responding to escalating pressure from US President Donald Trump, including a proposed 25 per cent tariff on countries trading with Iran.

In a post on X, Khamenei said the Iranian nation had demonstrated its resolve in the face of external pressure and issued a warning to American politicians. He asserted that Iran remained strong, aware of its adversaries, and firmly present on the political stage.

Protests pose major challenge to Iran’s leadership

Khamenei’s remarks come amid more than two weeks of nationwide demonstrations that began over economic grievances and have since grown into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s theocratic system since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Rights groups have claimed that at least 646 people have been killed during the protests, which have spread across several cities. The unrest has intensified international scrutiny of Tehran’s response and further strained relations with Washington.

Trump signals economic and military options

President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran over its handling of the protests, stating that the United States was prepared to act if demonstrators were killed. He has said possible US responses range from low-risk to high-risk options, depending on the ultimate objective.

While Trump has previously criticised “regime change” as a foreign policy goal, citing past US involvement in Iraq, he has continued to apply economic pressure on Tehran. On Monday, he announced a 25 per cent tariff on countries that trade with Iran, marking a significant escalation in sanctions-linked measures.

Trump has also spoken about efforts to restore internet access in Iran after authorities imposed shutdowns during the protests.

Limited communication revealed

Despite the sharp public rhetoric, both governments have acknowledged that some level of communication has taken place. These contacts were reportedly coordinated through Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

Iran and the United States have remained adversaries since the 1979 revolution that overthrew the pro-Western shah. Any major shift in Iran’s political system would have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, making the current standoff closely watched across the region.

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Trump may visit India next year as US envoy calls New Delhi Washington’s most essential partner

The US has described India as its most essential global partner, with ambassador-designate Sergio Gor indicating a possible visit by President Donald Trump next year.

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

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The United States has said that no country is more essential to its global interests than India, with US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor indicating that President Donald Trump may visit India within the next year or two.

Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor highlighted the close personal rapport between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing their relationship as genuine and resilient even in times of disagreement.

India-US ties anchored at the highest level

Gor said the partnership between India and the United States is rooted not only in shared strategic interests but also in strong leadership-level engagement.

He noted that while differences may arise between the two countries, they are resolved through dialogue, reflecting the maturity of the relationship. According to him, India’s scale and global standing make bilateral cooperation both complex and crucial.

Trade talks to resume from January 12

The ambassador-designate confirmed that the next round of India-US trade negotiations will begin on Tuesday, January 12. Acknowledging the challenges involved, Gor said both sides remain committed to reaching an agreement.

Trade, he said, is a vital pillar of bilateral ties, alongside cooperation in areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education and health.

Trump-Modi friendship described as ‘real’

Gor reiterated that he has personally witnessed the bond between Trump and Modi during international engagements, stressing that the friendship goes beyond diplomacy.

Recalling conversations with the US President, he said Trump often speaks positively about his previous India visit and his relationship with the Indian Prime Minister.

Possible Trump visit to India

Indicating a potential presidential visit, Gor said Trump could travel to India in the next one or two years. He described his own appointment as an effort to elevate the bilateral partnership to a new level, calling the India-US relationship a meeting point of the world’s oldest and largest democracies.

India to join Pax Silica alliance

Gor also announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica alliance as a full member next month.

The initiative aims to develop a secure, resilient and innovation-driven global silicon supply chain, reinforcing India’s role in strategic technology partnerships.