Questions regarding a politician’s health can lead to their political demise — and now those questions are being raised about German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
In a 2005 episode of the British television series “Doctor Who,” Prime Minister Harriet Jones (Penelope Wilton) authorizes a secret U.K. military group (Torchwood) to destroy an alien spaceship even though it is retreating.
This infuriates the Doctor (David Tennant) who decides to ruin Jones’ career by whispering six words to her assistant: “Don’t you think she looks tired?” A health scandal ensues, and Jones receives a vote of no confidence from parliament, ending her political career.
Suggested health problems have worked against real-life politicians, too. When running for president in 2008, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) faced numerous questions about his health and whether he would survive a single term.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton faced questions about her health after she nearly fainted after leaving a 9/11 ceremony. Footage of the incident shows her leaning against a concrete barrier propped up by staff and then struggling to maintain her balance as she’s quickly ushered into a campaign van. Her campaign later said she was “overheated” at the time, but questions about her health lingered, especially since she had previously fallen and received a concussion years earlier.
Now there are concerns regarding Merkel’s health. As CNN reported, Merkel has been seen shaking twice in the past few weeks. Footage from the most recent incident, at a farewell ceremony for Justice Minister Katarina Barley, showed Merkel holding her arms as if to try and control the shaking. At one point someone offered her a glass of water, but she declined.
This was noticeable because earlier this month Merkel was seen shaking when she met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. She blamed that episode on dehydration.“Since then I have drunk at least three glasses of water — I obviously needed that and so I’m doing very well now,” Merkel said at a press conference after the meeting with Zelensky.
She declined water during her most recent tremor sighting, but a spokesperson told CNN that Merkel is “fine.”
“Everything is taking place as planned. The chancellor is well,” he said, and indicated that Merkel would still be attending the G20 summit in Japan this weekend.
About half an hour after she was seen shaking, Merkel attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new justice minister. She reportedly appeared fine.
CNN reported that tremors “can be caused by a number of conditions, ranging from neurological disorders to less serious issues such as medicinal side effects, stress or caffeine consumption.” Unless Merkel gives a reason why she may be shaking, rumors and conspiracy theories will abound.
Germany is also experiencing a record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures have been reported as high as 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas. Now that the question has been raised, it will be nearly impossible for Merkel to squelch rumors that she is unhealthy.
Merkel, who has been chancellor since 2005, will not seek re-election when her term ends in 2021.