She may be doing the wrong thing for EU, but the right thing for Germany. In the long run perhaps the right thing for EU is the right thing for Germany, but I don't think German voters see it that way right now.
The general opinion is not a fan of "Mommy Merkel", but it hasn't been enough to propel the actual alternatives from the corners to a position where they can't be ignored, especially since right now the two largest parties (Merkels CDU and the SPD) support Merkels government together. Traditionally they'd prefer partnering with a smaller party, but their preferred coalitions didn't work out. The alternative combinations that would have had a majority are not seen as viable (yet).
And sorry, this isn't great for change, but doesn't make Germany non-democratic. Other possible governments after the last elections would have been more interesting, but I'm not sure if they would have represented the votes better.
Right now it seems like opinions drift away from Merkel in both directions, so it'll be interesting what happens next year. Election campaigns haven't really started yet, so it's hard to judge how the large parties are going to position themselves. SPD has to do something to break out from Merkel, or work another 4 years with her.
Ostensibly, Germany is a democracy, but she's had the chancellorship for 10 years and she uses her position to be the EU's de facto leader. There don't appear to be term limits.