Revolution of 1989
Kohl government
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union
First ministry and term
Second ministry and term
Third ministry and term
Fourth ministry and term
honorary doctorates, such as from Harvard University in May 2019.[5] Holding a doctorate in quantum chemistry earned in 1986,[6] Merkel became the first female and first East German Chancellor of Germany in 2005. She is often referred to as “Mutti Merkel" or Mother Merkel, a nickname suggesting a motherly image, which is attributed to her leadership style in Germany. This article explores Angela Merkel's identity, life experiences, and the significant events that have influenced her public image.
Merkel, influenced by her Protestant upbringing through her father, a pastor, displayed a frugal lifestyle and a tendency to work behind the scenes in her early political career.[9] Observers note her approach in navigating complex political decisions, particularly during the 2015 refugee crisis, where she led Germany to accept a significant number of refugees. This decision has been viewed by some as an example of Merkel balancing moral considerations with political pragmatism.[10]
Merkel, before the political phase of her career, pursued an education in physics at the
When Merkel began her political journey in the 1990s, she was one of the first women in domestic politics seen in leadership positions. As she climbed the ranks in the
Merkel joined her party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a center-right party when Germany was first reunited. She served as the Minister of Women and Youth (1991–94), Minister for Environment (1994–98), and the CDU Chair (2000-2018). She won her first term as a Chancellor in 2005 and won three campaigns in 2009, 2013, and 2018. For comparison, Merkel has continued to lead Germany through four US Presidents, five UK Prime Ministers, four French Presidents, and seven Italian PMs. Merkel's years in leadership were marked by financial, institutional, immigration, and public health crises.[19] Despite the tumultuous times, she has continued to symbolize stability and sanity for Germany and the world.[20] As of January 2021, Statistica reported 84% approved of Angela Merkel's overall leadership and work as Chancellor[21] Merkel will leave her office with a legacy of consistently thoughtful leadership, giving Germany a favorable position in the new world order, being the first female and first East German elected as Chancellor. The following section will detail Merkel's political image.
Since Angela Merkel's first election as Chancellor of Germany in 2005, her role and influence have notably increased. Merkel, often referred to by the moniker 'Mutti Merkel' (Mother Merkel), has been perceived as a figure of reliability and trustworthiness.2015 Refugee Crisis, Merkel's policies were noted for their emphasis on humanitarian and compassionate responses.
Angela Merkel's tenure as Chancellor of Germany has been marked by various characteristics, one of which has been perceived by some as indecisiveness or a cautious approach to forming and expressing opinions. This perception became so prominent that the term ‘Merkeln’ was coined in German, becoming the ‘Jugendwort’ (Youth Word) of the year in 2015.[24] While this characterization suggests a critique of her leadership style, it also reflects the cautious consideration Merkel applied in evaluating the consequences of her actions.
The two leaders met to discuss energy supplies in 2007 in
The
Merkel faced criticism for her handling of the Greek bailout package, which opposed austerity measures and seemingly favored the German banking sector.[27] Her delayed response to the crisis has been noted by scholars as a factor that worsened the financial situation in Greece and the Eurozone.[28]
In 2013, reports indicated that the
In March 2017, Angela Merkel visited the
Angela Merkel's background in