“Let it sink in,” Americans say, let it sink in. The phrase expresses well that in historical moments there is this perhaps brief but intense moment when the world stands still because you first have to realize that what you have just perceived is really true, because you initially didn’t can’t believe.
At this moment there can be amazement, even mild terror, but also an increase in the feeling for life. On Wednesday there was another historic moment. Trump election, truly historic enough. And then in the evening the breaking news popped up and you stared at the screen and learned about the end of the German government coalition. Craziness. That this-can’t-be-feeling.
As soon as the news sunk in, a lot of things quickly began to bubble up again: the stream of opinions, spins and political assessments with the perception of which one translates excitement into action. The news channels turned up the heat, social media was buzzing.
Like a villain in Shakespeare
Finally everyone could boo Lindner like a Shakespearean villain; For one evening, Scholz looked like a tragic hero. Exuberant production of opinions is part of historical moments. But this contemplative moment of letting things go is also part of it.
He sensitized people to flashing details. How confident Olaf Scholz suddenly was! How well he looked as the embodiment of the aggressive statesman, simmering with indignation inside, and at the same time the dutiful captain who wants to steer the sinking ship out of the danger zone even as it sinks.
About Lindner: “He broke my trust too often.” Pure drama. Hanseatics couldn’t be more emotional. However, Economics Minister Robert Habeck seemed unusually erratic in his first statement, and he obviously had to let it all sink in first. And how intrusive this fence seemed in the background.
Other details: correspondents on site who chattered away in analysis to bridge waiting times. Presenters who rudely interrupted them when there was something new to report. Or the history of the tie. Of course, Scholz wore them when he made his statement; later, when he was applauded by the SPD parliamentary group, he took them off. When do top politicians take off their ties on such a historic day? In the elevator? And where are they putting them? In your jacket pocket? Or do you give it to a speaker?
In addition to the big questions – traffic light coalition: doomed from the start or a missed social opportunity?, new elections: right or wrong?, and generally: what happens next? – you also let such details sink in. You’ll probably forget them again. But you will remember the energy of that day that she made you feel.
