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Politics

Eternal Chancellor

July 19, 2019

Many see Chancellor Angela Merkel as the most powerful woman in the world. But is she? The 2015 refugee crisis saw her reveal a more humane side - and take a considerable political risk. But she can still repeatedly outwit her opponents and skillfully maneuver them to the sidelines.

https://p.dw.com/p/3MCpB

Angela Merkel first appeared on Germany's political stage after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. She was just what then-Chancellor Helmut Kohl was looking for to balance out his male-dominated Christian Democratic party: a young, ambitious woman from the East. Angela Merkel became "Kohl’s girl” and entered the first post-unification cabinet. In 2005, the daughter of a clergyman, from Brandenburg, with a doctoral degree in quantum chemistry, was elected Germany’s first female chancellor. Initially written off as a flash in the pan, she quickly gained international acclaim as a state leader. For a long time, Merkel was considered cautious, almost hesitant, in her political actions. Yet, in the summer of 2015, she took a political risk by opening Germany's borders to the refugees arriving in Europe. Within a few months, more than a million asylum seekers had entered the country and the republic was facing one of the greatest challenges of its young history. Merkel was heavily criticized and there was even talk of a "Twilight of the Chancellor”. Then came the next big challenge: Brexit, which has become a stress test for all of Europe. Tensions within the EU are also affecting Germany’s traditionally good relations with France. While French president Emanuel Macron wants to strengthen Europe, Merkel has been quite charming about leaving him standing in the rain. Merkel has received international recognition for her moderating tone when dealing with populist leaders like Donald Trump. In 2018, she surprised everybody by resigning as CDU party leader, a post she had held for 18 years. A behind-the-scenes power struggle to take her place ensued. Now, the question arises: What is Merkel's political legacy?