Angela Merkel

About Angela Merkel

The first female Chancellor of Germany, serving from 2005 to 2021. Merkel, a physicist from East Germany, was the de facto leader of the European Union during multiple crises. Her decisions during the 2008 financial crisis, the European debt crisis, and the 2015 refugee crisis shaped Europe. Merkels decision to keep German nuclear plants open then phase them out influenced global energy policy. She was called the most powerful woman in the world. Merkel was known for her cautious, analytical approach. Her 16 year chancellorship spanned four US presidents and five British prime ministers.