Germany's former chancellor Angela Merkel gives a spirited defense of her 16 years at the helm of Europe's top economy in her memoir "Freedom," released in 30 languages on Tuesday.

Since she stepped down in 2021, Merkel has been accused of having been too soft on Russia, leaving Germany dangerously reliant on cheap Russian gas and sparking turmoil and the rise of the far right with her open-door migrant policy.

Her autobiography is released as wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East, former U.S. President Donald Trump is headed back to the White House and Germany faces snap elections after its ruling coalition collapsed this month.