Source: www.theguardian.com - Wednesday, January 07, 2015 The German chancellor inspires an affection in many of her countrymen that David Cameron can only dream about Freedom of speech was uppermost in everyone’s mind, but even on happier days David Cameron’s has never been greeted with a passionate cry of ‘ Ich liebe dich ’ from a stranger in a crowd. The German chancellor can’t escape the love even in the British Museum. Angela Merkel may not put much of a premium on empathy, oratory or anything else in the charm offensive toolkit that is considered essential for a British politician, but she inspires an affection in many of her countrymen that Cameron can only dream about. Merkel did smile briefly but the declaration of love from a stranger wasn’t enough for her to break stride. Making sure that Britain hadn’t handed back the Parthenon (Elgin) marbles to the Greeks when the Germans were still owed shedloads of euros (as well as the Germany: Memories of a Nation exhibition ) were rather more compelling. An hour or so later, she returned to Downing Street to give her verdict on the exhibition at a press conference. Continue reading...All Related