A recent endorsement of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s demeanor by the head of the German Knigge Society, Clemens Graf von Hoyos, has sparked debate about the role of formality and personality in contemporary German politics. Hoyos, in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, declared Merz’s command of formal etiquette to be “absolutely secure” attributing this proficiency to the Chancellor’s prior professional experiences, where, he suggested, “great value was undoubtedly placed on extremely smooth interactions.
While praising Merz’s adherence to established protocols, Hoyos also acknowledged the necessity of a more assertive, less polished persona for political impact. “People also need edges to be remembered – and he has them” Hoyos stated, implicitly recognizing the calculated risk of cultivating a less conventionally polished image in a landscape often demanding conformity.
The commentary also extended to a surprisingly detailed assessment of Merz’s sartorial choices, specifically his penchant for ties featuring animal motifs. Hoyos offered a surprisingly prescriptive approval, stipulating that the animals depicted should be oriented “facing right, so that it appears to be forward motion and not a backward movement”. This meticulously articulated preference highlights a potentially revealing aspect of the traditionalist ethos he embodies and suggests a desire for carefully constructed symbolism within the Chancellor’s public presentation.
The seemingly trivial discussion of etiquette and attire, however, raises critical questions about the performative aspects of political leadership in Germany. Is the emphasis on proper decorum a genuine reflection of character, or a deliberate strategy employed to project an image of stability and authority? And to what extent does a focus on formal protocols risk stifling genuine political debate and innovation? The endorsement and the subsequent analysis, underscores a broader societal tension between tradition and dynamism within the ruling CDU party and the German political sphere as a whole.