Dictionary

Merkelvellian en · ADJ

Etymology

Blend of Merkel + Machiavellian.

Meanings

1. (humorous) Pertaining to the tactics of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
   • This Merkelvellian approach has put the fear of god up everybody: everybody's worried about unemployment; everybody's worried about the housing market; everybody's worried about the banking system. 2013 May 7, Kiran Moodley, quoting Yogesh Dewan, “Why 'Merkelvellianism' Could Backfire for Angela”, in CNBC:
   • German pundits called her Merkelvellian when she outsmarted, isolated or just outlasted anyone who might mount a challenge to her. 2015 December 9, “Person of the Year: Angela Merkel”, in TIME, archived from the original on 14 Jul 2018:
   • Disillusioned that her telephone diplomacy with Putin failed, she's poised to go for more, to push her reputation as a tough Merkelvellian with the gloss of Mutti, a mother. 2014 April 23, Suzanne Fields, “A Cold German Spring for Merkel and Putin”, in The Washington Times:

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