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Angela Dorothea Merkel, born on July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, Germany, is a prominent figure in global politics who served as the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021. Her political journey, marked by resilience, pragmatism, and a commitment to international cooperation, has left an indelible mark on Germany, the European Union (EU), and the world.
Early Life and Education
Merkel’s birth name was Angela Dorothea Kasner, and her family moved to East Germany when she was a baby. Her early aptitude for academic pursuits was demonstrated by her 1986 Ph.D. in quantum chemistry. Working as a research scientist until 1989, Merkel honed her analytical skills and laid the foundation for her political career.
Career
Following the Revolutions of 1989, Angela Merkel entered politics and was designated as the deputy spokesman for the first democratically elected East German cabinet. Following Germany’s 1990 reunification, Merkel’s political career took off. Chancellor Helmut Kohl mentored her as the Minister for Women and Youth when she started her career in 1991. She was appointed Minister of the Environment, Conservation of Nature, and Nuclear Safety in 1994.
Kohl’s protege, Merkel, was made general secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after the party lost the 1998 federal election. She defied gender norms by becoming the first female Leader of the Opposition two years later and the first female Leader of the CDU in 2000.
In 2005, following her victory in the federal election, Angela Merkel began her momentous tenure as chancellor. Behind the direction of a wide coalition, Germany elected its first female chancellor. Germany’s Merkel government was characterized by flexibility and consistency. During her time in coalition politics, she forged alliances with the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in 2009 and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in 2013 and 2017.
Merkel made a big impact on international affairs. She was generally acknowledged as the de facto head of the European Union and has been referred to as the leader of the free world since 2016. Merkel had a major role in managing the 2007โ2008 financial crisis, the European debt crisis, and the negotiations for the Lisbon Treaty and the Berlin Declaration of 2008.
2018 saw Merkel step down as CDU leader and announce her decision not to seek a fifth term as chancellor in 2021.
Who is Angela Merkel’s Husband?
Joachim Sauer is the husband of Angela Merkel. They got married in 1998. Joachim Sauer is a quantum chemist and professor.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Merkel
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE84F07F/
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