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| {{redirect|Merkel}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}} | |||
| {{Infobox officeholder | |||
| |name = Angela Merkel | |||
| |image = File:Angela Merkel Juli 2010 - 3zu4.jpg | |||
| |caption = Chancellor Merkel with her hands in the characteristic '']'' position | |||
| |office = ] | |||
| |president = ]<br>]<br>] | |||
| |deputy = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>] | |||
| |term_start = 22 November 2005 | |||
| |term_end = | |||
| |predecessor = ] | |||
| |successor = | |||
| |office1 = ] | |||
| |term_start1 = 10 April 2000 | |||
| |term_end1 = | |||
| |predecessor1 = ] | |||
| |successor1 = | |||
| |office2 = ] | |||
| |chancellor2 = ] | |||
| |term_start2 = 17 November 1994 | |||
| |term_end2 = 26 October 1998 | |||
| |predecessor2 = ] | |||
| |successor2 = ] | |||
| |office3 = ] | |||
| |chancellor3 = ] | |||
| |term_start3 = 18 January 1991 | |||
| |term_end3 = 17 November 1994 | |||
| |predecessor3 = ] | |||
| |successor3 = ] | |||
| |birth_name = Angela Dorothea Kasner | |||
| |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|7|17|df=y}} | |||
| |birth_place = ], ]<br>{{small|(now ])}} | |||
| |death_date = | |||
| |death_place = | |||
| |party = ] {{small|(1989–1990)}}<br>] {{small|(1990–present)}} | |||
| |spouse = Ulrich Merkel {{small|(1977–1982)}}<br>] {{small|(1998–present)}} | |||
| |alma_mater = ] | |||
| |religion = ] (]) | |||
| |signature = Angela Merkel Signature.svg | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Angela Dorothea Merkel'''{{efn|The correct pronunciation of her first name is unclear. There are two documented pronunciations of the name ''Angela'': {{IPA-de|ˈaŋɡela|}} and {{IPA-de|aŋˈɡeːla|}}.<ref name="Duden 6">{{cite book|editor=Mangold, Max|title=Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch|edition=6th|year=1995|publisher=Dudenverlag|language=de|isbn= 978-3-411-20916-3 |page=156| quote='''Angela''' ˈaŋɡela ''auch:'' aŋˈɡeːla.<!--no mention of ˈaŋɡəla -->}}</ref> According to her biographer, Merkel prefers the pronunciation, with stress on the second syllable<ref name="Langguth50">{{cite book|last=Langguth|first= Gerd|title=Angela Merkel|publisher=dtv|location=Munich|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2|year=2005|page=50|quote=Merkel wollte immer mit der Betonung auf dem 'e' Angela genannt werden. (Merkel always wanted her first name pronounced with the stress on the 'e'.)}}</ref> ({{IPA-de|aŋˈɡeːla|}} with a long 'e', as in {{lang-de|Beet}},<ref name="Duden 6"/>{{Rp|12}} similar to the vowel sound of the English word ''say'' – especially in Lancashire dialect). This pronunciation is more common in Austria.<ref name="Duden 1">{{cite book|editor=Duden |title=Duden, Die deutsche Rechtschreibung |edition=21st|year=1996|publisher=Dudenverlag|language=de|isbn= 978-3-411-04011-7 |page=112| quote='''ˈAn{{!}}ge{{!}}la''' (''österr'': aŋˈɡeːla) }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|website=Duden Online|url=http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Angela|title=Angela|accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref> {{Citation needed span|text=German newsreaders have also used other pronunciations, such as {{IPA-de|ˈaŋɡəla|}} and {{IPA-de|ˈaŋəla|}}|date=March 2015}}. ''Merkel'' is {{IPA-de|ˈmɛʁkl̩|pron}}.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Mangold, Max|title=Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch|edition=6th|year=1995|publisher=Dudenverlag|language=de|isbn= 978-3-411-20916-3 |page=548| quote='''Merkel''' ˈmɛrkl̩}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor=Krech, Eva-Maria; Stock, Eberhard; Hirschfeld, Ursula; Anders, Lutz Christian et al. |title=Deutsches Aussprachewörterbuch|edition=1st|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|year=2009|isbn=978-3-11-018202-6|page=739| quote='''Merkel''' mˈɛʶkl̩}}</ref>}} ({{nee}} '''Kasner'''; born 17 July 1954) is a ] ] and former ] who has been the ] since 2005 and the Leader of the ] (CDU) since 2000. She is the first woman to hold either office.<ref name=bkin>{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/Webs/BKin/EN/AngelaMerkel/Biography/biography_node.html|website=Bundeskanzlerin.de|publisher=German Federal Press and Information Office|accessdate=14 January 2015|ref=bkin}}</ref> | |||
| Having earned a doctorate as a ], Merkel entered politics in the wake of the ], briefly serving as a deputy spokesperson for the first democratically elected ] in 1990. Following ] in 1990, she was elected to the ] for ] in the state of ], a seat she has held ever since. She was later appointed as the ] in 1991 under ] ], later becoming the ] in 1994. After Kohl was defeated in 1998, she was elected ] of the CDU before becoming the party's first female leader two years later in the aftermath of a ] that toppled ]. | |||
| Following the ], she was appointed Germany's first female Chancellor at the head of a ] consisting of the CDU, its Bavarian sister party, the ] (CSU), and the ] (SPD). In the ], the CDU obtained the largest share of the vote and Merkel was able to form a coalition government with the support of the ] (FDP).<ref name="BBCnewterm2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8329490.stm|title=Germany's Merkel begins new term|accessdate=1 November 2009|date=28 October 2009|publisher=BBC|archivedate=31 October 2009|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20091031061627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8329490.stm|deadurl=no}}</ref> At the ], Merkel won a landslide victory with 41.5% of the vote, falling just short of an overall majority, and formed a second grand coalition with the SPD, after the FDP lost all of its representation in the ].<ref name="cwn">{{cite web|title=German Chancellor Angela Merkel makes a hat-trick win in 2013 Elections|url=http://www.classworld.us/german-chancellor-angela-merkel-makes-a-hat-trick-win-in-2013-elections/|accessdate=23 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
| In 2007, Merkel was ] and chaired the ], the second woman to do so. She played a central role in the negotiation of the ] and the ]. One of her priorities was also to strengthen transatlantic economic relations by signing the agreement for the ] on 30 April 2007. Merkel played a crucial role in managing the ] at the European and international level, and has been referred to as "the decider."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/2011/12/08/143292255/can-angela-merkel-save-europe|title=Can Angela Merkel Fix Europe's Economic Crisis?|newspaper=NPR|accessdate=15 May 2012}}</ref> In domestic policy, ] and problems concerning future ] have been major issues during her Chancellorship. | |||
| Merkel has been described, for instance by '']'' magazine, as "the ''de facto'' leader of the ]."<ref>http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2015-angela-merkel/</ref> She was also ] as the world's second most powerful person by '']'' magazine in 2012 and 2015, the highest ranking ever achieved by a woman.<ref>{{cite news|last=Balasubramanyam|first=Ranjitha|title=All Eyes on Berlin|url=http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2013/09/16/all-eyes-on-berlin/|accessdate=23 September 2013|newspaper=Foreign Policy Journal|date=16 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gayle|first=Damien|title=50 Shades of Angela Merkel: German Chancellor's outfits recreated as Pantone colour chart (but none of them are very sexy)|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175734/The-shades-Angela-Merkel-Graphic-designer-takes-50-pictures-German-Chancellor-stepping-world-stage-uses-recreate-famous-Pantone-colour-chart.html|accessdate=23 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=18 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Francis|first=David|title ="Mama" Merkel May Win Germany, But Not the Euro Zone|url=http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2013/09/22/Mama-Merkel-May-Win-Germany-Not-Eurozone|accessdate=22 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wagele|first=Elizabeth|title=What Personality Type is Angela Merkel?|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-career-within-you/201207/what-personality-type-is-angela-merkel|accessdate=23 September 2013|newspaper=]|date=16 July 2012|authorlink=Elizabeth Wagele}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/8720698/Angela-Merkel-worlds-most-powerful-woman.html|location=London|work=The Daily Telegraph|title= Angela Merkel 'world's most powerful woman' |date=24 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|accessdate=11 September 2012|url=http://www.forbes.com/profile/angela-merkel/|title=Profile Angela Merkel|newspaper=Forbes|date=18 April 2012}}</ref> In December 2015, she was named as ''Time'' magazine's ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/time-person-of-the-year-2015-angela-merkel-choice/ |title=Why Angela Merkel is TIME's Person of the Year |first=Nancy |last=Gibbs |date=9 December 2015 |accessdate=9 December 2015}}</ref> On 26 March 2014, she became the longest-serving incumbent ] in the ]. Merkel is currently the ] leader. In May 2015, she was named the most powerful woman in the world ] by ''Forbes''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/27/angela-merkel-most-powerful-women-boss_n_7449270.html |title=Angela Merkel Tops World's 100 Most Powerful Women – Shows World She's The Boss |first=Aubrey |last=Allegretti |date=27 May 2015 |accessdate=4 October 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==Early life and education== | |||
| Merkel was born Angela Dorothea Kasner in 1954 in ], ], the daughter of ] (1926–2011),<ref>{{cite book|last=Langguth|first=Gerd|authorlink=Gerd Langguth|title=Angela Merkel|date=August 2005|work=DTV|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsecho.de/news/ticker/Sa6pk0PGTGs/merkels_vater_gestorben_termine_abgesagt|title=Merkels Vater gestorben – Termine abgesagt|language=de|publisher=newsecho|date=3 September 2011|accessdate=8 September 2011}}</ref> a native of Berlin, and his wife Herlind, born in 1928 in ] (now ], Poland) as Herlind Jentzsch, a teacher of English and ]. Her mother was the daughter of the Danzig politician ] and maternal granddaughter of the ] of ] (now ], Poland) ]. Herlind Jentzsch was once a member of the ] and briefly served as a member of the municipal council in Templin following the German reunification.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.welt.de/politik/article2496274/Was-an-Angela-Merkels-Mutter-vorbildlich-ist.html|work=Welt Online|title=Was an Angela Merkels Mutter vorbildlich ist|language=de|date=26 September 2008|accessdate=31 July 2010|quote='Nein, in der SPD bin ich nicht mehr.'}}</ref> Merkel has Polish ancestry through her paternal grandfather, ], a German national<ref>{{cite book|last=Kornelius|first=Stefan|authorlink=Stefan Kornelius|title= Angela Merkel: Die Kanzlerin und ihre Welt|date=March 2013|publisher=Hoffmann und Campe|language=de|isbn=978-3455502916|page=7}}</ref> of Polish origin from ] (now ]).<ref name="Six things you didn't know about Angela Merkel">{{cite news|author=Stefan Kornelius|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/german-elections-blog-2013/2013/sep/10/angela-merkel-origins-germany-election|title=Six things you didn't know about Angela Merkel|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 September 2013|accessdate=29 October 2013|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130910133147/http://www.theguardian.com/world/german-elections-blog-2013/2013/sep/10/angela-merkel-origins-germany-election|archivedate=10 September 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The family's original name ''Kaźmierczak'' was Germanized to ''Kasner'' in 1930.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.dw.de/the-german-chancellors-polish-roots/a-16698783|title=The German chancellor's Polish roots|publisher=]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503221041/http://www.dw.de/the-german-chancellors-polish-roots/a-16698783|archivedate=27 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|date=13 March 2013|archivedate=17 March 2013|deadurl=no|url= http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/familiegeschichte-der-kanzlerin-merkel-hat-polnische-wurzeln-1.1623363|title=Merkel hat polnische Wurzeln|trans_title=Merkel has Polish roots |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130906161618/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/familiegeschichte-der-kanzlerin-merkel-hat-polnische-wurzeln-1.1623363}}</ref> | |||
| Religion played a key role in Angela Merkel's migration to East Germany. Her father was born a Catholic, but the Kasner family eventually converted to Lutheranism,<ref name="Six things you didn't know about Angela Merkel"/> and he studied Lutheran theology in ] and afterwards in Hamburg. In 1954, Angela's father received a pastorate at the church in ] (a quarter of ] in ]), which was then in ], and so the family moved to ]. Merkel thus grew up in the countryside {{convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}} north of ]. | |||
| Like most young people in the ] (East Germany), Merkel was a member of the ], the official youth movement sponsored by the ruling ]. Membership was nominally voluntary, but those who did not join found it all but impossible to gain admission to higher education. She did not participate in the secular ] ceremony ], however, which was common in East Germany. Instead, she was ]. Later, at the Academy of Sciences, she became a member of the FDJ district board and secretary for "]" (Agitation and Propaganda). Merkel claimed that she was secretary for culture. When Merkel's one-time FDJ district chairman contradicted her, she insisted that: "According to my memory, I was secretary for culture. But what do I know? I believe I won't know anything when I'm 80."<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=19 August 2011|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-67682698.html|title=Die Schläferin|language=de|work=]|date=9 November 2009|archivedate=24 May 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100524192026/http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-67682698.html|deadurl=no}}</ref> Merkel's progress in the compulsory Marxism–Leninism course was graded only ''genügend'' (sufficient, passing grade) in 1983 and 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title=Glänzend in Physik, mäßig in der Ideologie|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,675061,00.html|language=de|work=]|date=31 January 2010|quote="Nach meiner Erinnerung war ich Kultursekretärin. Aber was weiß ich denn? Ich glaube, wenn ich 80 bin, weiß ich gar nichts mehr", sagt sie|accessdate=7 June 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100203164457/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,675061,00.html|archivedate=3 February 2010}}</ref> | |||
| At school, she learned to speak ] fluently, and was awarded prizes for her proficiency in Russian and Mathematics.<ref>{{cite book|last=Langguth|first=Gerd|authorlink=Gerd Langguth|title= Angela Merkel|date=August 2005|publisher=DTV|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2|page=50}}</ref> Merkel was educated in Templin and at the ], where she studied ] from 1973 to 1978. While a student, she participated in the reconstruction of the ruin of the ], a project students initiated to create their own club and recreation facility on campus. Such an initiative was unprecedented in the ] of that period, and initially resisted by the ]; however, with backing of the local leadership of the ] party, the project was allowed to proceed.<ref>{{cite news|language=de|work=Der Spiegel|date=27 March 2009|url=http://einestages.spiegel.de/static/authoralbumbackground/3852/drogenwahn_auf_der_baustelle.html|title=Drogenwahn auf der Dauerbaustelle|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100113154152/http://einestages.spiegel.de/static/authoralbumbackground/3852/drogenwahn_auf_der_baustelle.html|archivedate=31 March 2009|accessdate=19 August 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Merkel worked and studied at the Central Institute for ] of the ] in ] from 1978 to 1990. After being awarded a doctorate ('']'') for her thesis on ],<ref>{{cite book|last=Merkel|first=Angela|title=Untersuchung des Mechanismus von Zerfallsreaktionen mit einfachem Bindungsbruch und Berechnung ihrer Geschwindigkeitskonstanten auf der Grundlage quantenchemischer und statistischer Methoden (Investigation of the mechanism of decay reactions with single bond breaking and calculation of their velocity constants on the basis of quantum chemical and statistical methods)|year=1986|publisher=] (dissertation)|location=Berlin|language=de}} cited in {{cite book|last=Langguth|first=Gerd|title=Angela Merkel|date=August 2005|publisher=DTV|location=Munich|page=109|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2}} and listed in the Catalogue of the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek under subject code 30 (Chemistry)</ref> she worked as a researcher and published several papers. | |||
| ], 1990]] | |||
| In 1989, Merkel got involved in the growing democracy movement after the ], joining the new party ]. Following the ] of the East German state, she became the deputy spokesperson of the new pre-] caretaker government under ].<ref name="Langguth112">{{cite book|last=Langguth|first=Gerd|title=Angela Merkel|origyear=2005|publisher=DTV|location=Munich|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2|pages=112–137|date=August 2005}}</ref> In April 1990, the Democratic Awakening merged with the ], which in turn merged with its western counterpart after reunification. | |||
| ==Early political career== | |||
| Merkel stood for election at the ], the first since reunification, and was elected to the ] for the constituency of ], which is in the ] of ]. She has won re-election for this constituency at the six federal elections since. After her first election, she was almost immediately appointed to the ], serving as ] under ] ]. In 1994, she was promoted to becoming ], which gave her greater political visibility and a platform from which to build her political career. As one of Kohl's protégées and his youngest Cabinet Minister, she was frequently referred to by Kohl as "''mein Mädchen''" ("my girl").<ref>{{cite web|language=de|work=Spiegel Online|date=30 May 2005|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,357997,00.html|title=Kohls unterschätztes Mädchen|accessdate=19 August 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090718100625/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,357997,00.html|archivedate=1 June 2005|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| ===Leader of the Opposition=== | |||
| After the ] was ], Merkel was appointed Secretary-General of the ], a key position as the party was no longer part of the federal government. Merkel oversaw a string of CDU election victories in six out of seven state elections in 1999, breaking the long-standing SPD-Green hold on the ]. Following a ] that compromised many leading figures of the CDU—including Kohl himself and his successor as CDU Leader, ], Merkel criticised her former mentor publicly and advocated a fresh start for the party without him. She was subsequently elected to replace Schäuble, becoming the first female leader of a German party on 10 April 2000. Her election surprised many observers, as her personality offered a contrast to the party she had been elected to lead; Merkel is a ] ] originating from predominantly Protestant northern Germany, while the CDU is a male-dominated, ] party with strongholds in western and southern Germany, and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, has deep Catholic roots. | |||
| ], 2002]] | |||
| Following Merkel's election as CDU Leader, she enjoyed considerable popularity among the German population and polls indicated that many Germans would like to see her become ] ]'s main challenger in the ]. However, she was subsequently outmaneuvered politically by CSU Leader ], to whom she eventually ceded the privilege of challenging Schröder. He went on to squander a large lead in opinion polls to lose the election by a razor-thin margin. After Stoiber's defeat in 2002, in addition to her role as CDU Leader, Merkel became Leader of the Opposition in the ]; ], who had held the post prior to the 2002 election, was eased out to make way for Merkel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/opposition-meltdown-the-great-disintegration-act-a-324300.html|title=Opposition meltdown: The great disintegration act|publisher=Spiegel Online|date=2004-10-22|accessdate=2015-11-28}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel supported a substantial ] agenda concerning Germany's economic and social system, and was considered more pro-market than her own party (the CDU). She advocated German labour law changes, specifically removing barriers to laying off employees and increasing the allowed number of work hours in a week. She argued that existing laws made the country less competitive, because companies cannot easily control labour costs when business is slow.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,249207,00.html|title=Merkel fordert längere Arbeitszeit |language=de|newspaper=]|date=18 May 2003|accessdate=27 August 2011|archivedate=29 May 2003|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20080613150234/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,249207,00.html|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel argued that Germany should phase out ] less quickly than the Schröder administration had planned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP_Merkel_Nuclear_phase_out_is_wrong_1006081.html|title=Merkel: Nuclear phase-out is wrong|newspaper=]|date=10 June 2008|accessdate=27 August 2011|archivedate=14 July 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616040957/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP_Merkel_Nuclear_phase_out_is_wrong_1006081.html|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel advocated a strong transatlantic partnership and German-American friendship. In the spring of 2003, defying strong public opposition, Merkel came out in favour of the ], describing it as "unavoidable" and accusing Chancellor ] of ]. She criticised the government's support for the ] and favoured a "]" instead. In doing so, she reflected public opinion that grew more hostile toward Turkish membership of the European Union.<ref>Marlies Casier and Joost Jongerden, eds. ''Nationalisms and Politics in Turkey'' (2010) p 110</ref> | |||
| On 30 May 2005, Merkel won the CDU/CSU nomination as challenger to Chancellor ] of the ] in the ]. Her party began the campaign with a 21-point lead over the ] in national opinion polls, although her personal popularity lagged behind that of the incumbent. However, the CDU/CSU campaign suffered<ref name="globe-and-mail">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/popular-flat-tax-movement-hits-brick-wall-in-germany/article986606/|title=Popular flat-tax movement hits brick wall in Germany|first=Doug|last=Saunders|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=2005-09-14|accessdate=2015-11-28}} | |||
| </ref> when Merkel, having made economic competence central to the CDU's platform, confused ] and ] twice during a televised debate. She regained some momentum after she announced that she would appoint ], a former judge at the German Constitutional Court and leading fiscal policy expert, as Minister of Finance.<ref name="globe-and-mail" /> | |||
| Merkel and the CDU lost ground after Kirchhof proposed the introduction of a ] in Germany, again undermining the party's broad appeal on economic affairs and convincing many voters that the CDU's platform of deregulation was designed to benefit only the rich. This was compounded by Merkel's proposing to increase ] to reduce Germany's deficit and fill the gap in revenue from a flat tax. The SPD were able to increase their support simply by pledging not to introduce flat taxes or increase VAT. Although Merkel's standing recovered after she distanced herself from Kirchhof's proposals, she remained considerably less popular than Schröder, and the CDU's lead was down to 9% on the eve of the election. | |||
| On 18 September 2005, Merkel's CDU/CSU and Schröder's SPD went head-to-head in the national elections, with the CDU/CSU winning 35.3% (CDU 27.8%/CSU 7.5%) of the second votes to the SPD's 34.2%. Neither the SPD-Green coalition nor the CDU/CSU and its preferred coalition partners, the ], held enough seats to form a majority in the Bundestag, and both Schröder and Merkel claimed victory. A ] between the CDU/CSU and SPD faced the challenge that both parties demanded the chancellorship. However, after three weeks of ], the two parties reached a deal whereby Merkel would become Chancellor and the SPD would hold 8 of the 16 seats in the cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4325600.stm|title=Merkel named as German chancellor|publisher=]|date=10 October 2005|accessdate=27 August 2011|archivedate=23 September 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130923013433/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4325600.stm}}</ref> The coalition deal was approved by both parties at party conferences on 14 November 2005.<ref>{{cite news|date=14 November 2005|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4434812.stm|title=German parties back new coalition|archivedate=24 November 2005|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090111191948/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4434812.stm|deadurl=no}}</ref> Merkel was elected Chancellor by the majority of delegates (397 to 217) in the newly assembled Bundestag on 22 November 2005, but 51 members of the governing coalition voted against her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4458430.stm|title=Merkel becomes German chancellor|date=22 November 2005|publisher=BBC News|archivedate=9 December 2005|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20051209014210/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4458430.stm|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Reports had indicated that the grand coalition would pursue a mix of policies, some of which differ from Merkel's political platform as leader of the opposition and candidate for Chancellor. The coalition's intent was to cut public spending whilst increasing ] (from 16 to 19%), ] contributions and the top rate of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=German coalition poised for power|date=11 November 2005|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4429518.stm|publisher=BBC News|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20051125031009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4429518.stm |archivedate=25 November 2005|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel had stated that the main aim of her government would be to reduce unemployment, and that it is this issue on which her government will be judged.<ref>{{cite news|title=Merkel defends German reform plan|publisher=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4431262.stm|date=12 November 2005|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20060315055446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4431262.stm|deadurl=no|archivedate=15 March 2006}}</ref> | |||
| ==Chancellor of Germany== | |||
| ], 2007]] | |||
| On 22 November 2005, Merkel assumed the office of Chancellor of Germany following a ] that resulted in a ] with the ]. Her party was ] with an increased number of seats, and could form a governing coalition with the ]. In the ] the CDU/CSU parties emerged as winners, but formed another grand coalition with the SPD due to the FDP's failure to obtain the minimum of 5% of votes required to enter parliament.<ref name=cwn/> | |||
| ===Domestic policy=== | |||
| In October 2010, Merkel told a meeting of younger members of her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party at ] that attempts to build a multicultural society in Germany had "utterly failed",<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC News|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11559451|title=Merkel says German multicultural society has failed|date=17 October 2010|archivedate=17 October 2010 |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101017050644/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11559451|deadurl=no}}</ref> stating: "The concept that we are now living side by side and are happy about it does not work"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101017/wl_afp/germanymuslimreligionimmigration|title=Merkel Says German Multi-Cultural Society Has Failed|publisher=]|date=17 October 2007|accessdate=18 December 2013|archivedate=18 October 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101018203110/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101017/wl_afp/germanymuslimreligionimmigration}}</ref> and "we feel attached to the Christian concept of mankind, that is what defines us. Anyone who doesn't accept that is in the wrong place here."<ref>{{cite news|title=Zentralrat der Juden kritisiert Seehofer: Debatte ist scheinheilig und hysterisch |language=de |url=http://www.swr.de/nachrichten/-/id=396/nid=396/did=7030978/166vg7v/index.htm |newspaper=Südwestrundfunk |accessdate=21 October 2010 |quote=Wir fühlen uns dem christlichen Menschenbild verbunden, das ist das, was uns ausmacht. Wer das nicht akzeptiert, der ist bei uns fehl am Platz |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20131001195707/http://www.swr.de/nachrichten/-/id=396/nid=396/did=7030978/166vg7v/index.htm |archivedate=1 October 2013 }}</ref> She continued to say that immigrants should integrate and adopt Germany's culture and values. This has added to a growing debate within Germany<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11532699|date=17 October 2010|publisher=BBC News|title=Germany's charged immigration debate|accessdate=2011|archivedate=16 October 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101014045042/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11532699|deadurl=no}}</ref> on the levels of immigration, its effect on Germany and the degree to which Muslim immigrants have integrated into German society. | |||
| ===Foreign affairs=== | |||
| ] at the ] summit in Mexico, 2012]] | |||
| On 25 September 2007, Merkel met the ] for "private and informal talks" in the ] in Berlin amid protest from China. China afterwards cancelled separate talks with German officials, including talks with Justice Minister ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=444371&lng=1|title=Merkel meets with the Dalai Lama|newspaper=Euronews|accessdate=2 March 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090112023921/http://euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=444371&lng=1|archivedate=15 May 2007|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| One of Merkel's priorities was strengthening transatlantic economic relations – she signed the agreement for the Transatlantic Economic Council on 30 April 2007 at the White House. The Council, co-chaired by an EU and a US official, aims at removing barriers to trade in a further integrated transatlantic free-trade area.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=11 September 2012|title=Enterprise policies|url= http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/international/files/tec_framework_en.pdf|publisher=]}}</ref> This project has been described as ultra-liberal by the French left-wing politician ], fearing a transfer of sovereignty from citizens to multinationals and an alignment of the European Union on the American foreign policy and institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9203t_jean-luc-melenchon-le-futur-grand-m_news|title=Jean-Luc Mélenchon: "Le futur grand marché transatlantique"|publisher=]|language=fr|date=21 April 2009|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 April 2012|url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xpvina_intervention-de-jean-luc-melenchon-sur-la-defense_news|title=Intervention de Jean-Luc Mélenchon sur la Défense|publisher=Dailymotion|accessdate=11 September 2012}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' reported that tensions between Chancellor Merkel and US President Barack Obama<ref>{{cite web|date=23 June 2009|accessdate=2 March 2010|work=]|url= http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,632026,00.html|title='They're Not Getting any Warmer': Merkel Faces Difficult Talks in Washington|deadurl=no|archivedate=24 June 2009|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090921172710/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,632026,00.html}}</ref> eased during a meeting between the two leaders in June 2009. Commenting on a White House press conference held after the meeting, ''Der Spiegel'' stated, "Of course the rather more reserved chancellor couldn't really keep up with ... ]," but to reciprocate for Obama's "good natured" diplomacy, "she gave it a go... by mentioning the experiences of Obama's sister in Heidelberg, making it clear that she had read his autobiography".<ref>{{cite news|author=Gregor Peter Schmitz|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,632961,00.html|title=A Trans-Atlantic Show of Friendship: Obama Praises His 'Friend Chancellor Merkel'|work=Spiegel Online|accessdate=2 March 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100728031632/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,632961,00.html|deadurl=no|archivedate=28 July 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ], ], holding a joint press conference, 8 March 2008]] | |||
| In 2006 Merkel expressed concern about ], but she received little support from others in Berlin.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2008/0306/p06s01-wogn.html|title=Dependence on Russian gas worries some – but not all – European countries|newspaper=]|date=6 March 2008|accessdate=23 August 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20111108015002/http://www.csmonitor.com/World/2008/0306/p06s01-wogn.html|archivedate=8 November 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel favors the ] between ] and the ]; but stated in December 2012 that its implementation depends on reforms in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/klitschko-ukraines-eu-prospects-depend-on-new-parliament-317148.html|title=Klitschko, Merkel discuss prospects for signing EU-Ukraine association agreement|agency=]|date=5 December 2012|archivedate=5 December 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20121205070507/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/politics/klitschko-ukraines-eu-prospects-depend-on-new-parliament-317148.html}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel has visited ] four times. On 16 March 2008, Merkel arrived in Israel to mark the 60th ]. She was greeted at the airport by Prime Minister ], an honor guard and many of the country's political and religious leaders, including most of the Israeli Cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/news/16iht-mideast.3.11137599.html|title=Chancellor of Germany goes to Israel|date=16 March 2008|newspaper=The New York Times|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110618213626/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/news/16iht-mideast.3.11137599.html|archivedate=18 June 2011|accessdate=3 September 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Until then, US President ] had been the only world leader Olmert had honored by greeting at the airport.<ref>{{cite news|author=Roger Boyes|place=]|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23391392-2703,00.html|title=German Chancellor Angela Merkel tightens ties for Israel's 60th|date=18 March 2008|accessdate=2 March 2010|newspaper=]|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081222102933/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23391392-2703,00.html|archivedate=21 March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Friends in high places|date=19 March 2008|url=http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10881121|newspaper=]|accessdate=3 September 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210125203/http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10881121|archivedate=22 March 2008|deadurl=no}}</ref> Merkel spoke before ], the only foreigner who was not a head of state to have done so,<ref>{{cite news|work=Spiegel Online|date=17 March 2008|url=http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-29889-3.html#backToArticle=541892|title=Photo Gallery: Merkel Wishes Israel Happy 60th|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110916060045/http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-29889-3.html#backToArticle=541892|deadurl=no|archivedate=16 September 2011|accessdate=3 September 2011}}</ref> but this provoked rumbles of opposition from Israeli MPs on the far right.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-hardliners-will-walk-out-when-merkel-addresses-knesset-in-german-795013.html|title=Israeli hardliners 'will walk out' when Merkel addresses Knesset in German|newspaper=The Independent|date=13 March 2008|accessdate=3 September 2011|location=London|first=Donald|last=MacIntyre|archivedate=27 August 2009|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090827031933/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israeli-hardliners-will-walk-out-when-merkel-addresses-knesset-in-german-795013.html}}</ref> At the time, Merkel was also both the ] and the chair of the ]. Merkel has supported Israeli diplomatic initiatives, opposing the Palestinian bid for membership at the UN. However, Merkel requested that continued building of settlements beyond the Green Line should stop,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=202704|title=Merkel: Israel Must Stop Settlement Building|publisher=]|accessdate=15 May 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529113912/http://www.jewishfederations.org/page.aspx?id=202704|archivedate=29 May 2012}}</ref> and disagreed with the Israeli government's behavior.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=206071|title=PM, Merkel disagree openly on settlements|date=31 January 2011|accessdate=15 May 2012|newspaper=]|last=Keinon|first=Herb|deadurl=no|archivedate=3 February 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110203044352/http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=206071}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel's latest visit to Israel was on 25–27 February 2014. During her visit, Merkel was awarded Israel's highest civilian award by President Shimon Peres, for her "unwavering commitment to Israel's security and the fight against anti-Semitism and racism."<ref>{{cite news|title=Merkel arrives in Israel to talk peace|date=24 February 2014|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.576120|newspaper=Haaretz|archivedate=24 February 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140224214754/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.576120}}</ref> | |||
| ], ], Merkel, and her husband, ], 2009]] | |||
| Merkel and ]n Prime Minister ] made a "Joint Declaration" emphasising the Indo-German strategic partnership in 2006.<ref name=india>{{cite web|accessdate=17 September 2012|work= India|url=http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/09__Politics/Bilaterals/Bilateral__Relations.html|title=Germany and India – Celebrating 60 Years of Diplomatic relations|archivedate=6 October 2011|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081006124948/http://www.india.diplo.de/Vertretung/indien/en/09__Politics/Bilaterals/Bilateral__Relations.html}}</ref> It turned the focus of future cooperation onto the fields of energy, science and technology, and defence. A similar Declaration, signed during Merkel’s visit to India in 2007, noted the substantial progress made in ] and set ambitious goals for their development in the future.<ref name=india/> The relationship with India on the basis of cooperation and partnership was further strengthened with Merkel's visit to India in 2011. At the invitation of the Indian government, the two countries held their first intergovernmental consultations in New Delhi. These consultations set a new standard in the implementation of the strategic partnership, as India became only the third non-European country with which Germany has had this nature of comprehensive consultations.<ref name=india/> India became the first Asian country to hold a joint cabinet meeting with Germany during Merkel's state visit.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news|newspaper=]|accessdate=8 September 2011|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-31/india/29603543_1_indo-german-largest-trading-partner-inter-governmental-consultations|title=Angela Merkel in India for joint cabinet meet|date=31 May 2011|author=Audrey Kauffmann|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20121105184025/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-05-31/india/29603543_1_indo-german-largest-trading-partner-inter-governmental-consultations|archivedate=5 November 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| The Indian government presented the ] for the year 2009 to Merkel. A statement issued by the Government of India stated that the award "recognises her personal devotion and enormous efforts for sustainable and equitable development, for good governance and understanding and for the creation of a world better positioned to handle the emerging challenges of the 21st century."<ref name=india/> | |||
| In recognition of the importance of China to the German economy, by 2014 Merkel had led seven trade delegations to China since assuming office in 2005. The same year, in March, China's President Xi visited Germany.<ref name="MerkelChina">{{cite news|title=Angela Merkel sets off for China to forge new economic ties|url=http://www.heraldglobe.com/index.php/sid/223540035/scat/9d7afd9766a94f28/ht/Angela-Merkel-sets-off-for-China-to-forge-new-economic-ties|accessdate=5 July 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140714165257/http://www.heraldglobe.com/index.php/sid/223540035/scat/9d7afd9766a94f28/ht/Angela-Merkel-sets-off-for-China-to-forge-new-economic-ties|archivedate=14 July 2014|deadurl=no|newspaper=Herald Globe}}</ref> | |||
| ===Eurozone crisis=== | |||
| ] and Italian PM ], 2008]] | |||
| Following ], the German government stepped in to assist the ] company ] with a bailout, which was agreed on 6 October, with German banks to contribute €30 billion and the ] €20 billion to a credit line.<ref>{{cite news|date=6 October 2008|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=amxJTktF7JMs&refer=home|title=Hypo Real Gets EU50 Billion Government-Led Bailout|last=Parkin|first=Brian|author2=Suess, Oliver|newspaper=]|accessdate=6 October 2008|archivedate=22 October 2012|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20121022213102/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=amxJTktF7JMs&refer=home|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| On 4 October 2008, a Saturday, following the ] decision to guarantee all deposits in private savings accounts, a move she strongly criticised,<ref>{{cite news |author=Carter Dougherty|newspaper=Forbes|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/business/worldbusiness/05iht-hypo.4.16708030.html?_r=3&|title=Germany guarantees all private bank accounts|accessdate=6 October 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140423001915/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/business/worldbusiness/05iht-hypo.4.16708030.html?_r=3&|archivedate=23 April 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Merkel said there were no plans for the German Government to do the same. The following day, Merkel stated that the government would guarantee private savings account deposits, after all.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/05/AR2008100500816.html?hpid=sec-business|title=Germany to guarantee Private Bank Accounts|newspaper=]|accessdate=6 October 2008|first=Craig|last=Whitlock|date=6 October 2008}}</ref> However, two days later, on 6 October 2008, it emerged that the pledge was simply a political move that would not be backed by legislation.<ref name=bbc/> Other European governments eventually either raised the limits or promised to guarantee savings in full.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7654182.stm|title=Bank uncertainty hits UK shares|publisher=]|accessdate=6 October 2008|date=6 October 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081007064831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7654182.stm|archivedate=7 October 2008}}</ref> | |||
| ===Social expenditure=== | |||
| At the ] in Davos, 2013, she started to say that Europe nowadays has only 7% of the global population and produces only 25% of the global GDP, but that it spends almost 50% of the global social expenditure. The solution to the economic ills of the continent only can consist in raising its competitiveness.<ref>http://www.bundesregierung.de/ContentArchiv/DE/Archiv17/Reden/2013/01/2013-01-24-merkel-davos.html</ref> Since then, this comparison has become a central element in major speeches.<ref>Among others, in her speech on the occasion of her honorary doctoral degree at the ] in Hungary, see http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/DE/Rede/2015/02/2015-02-02-merkel-budapest.html.</ref> The international financial press has widely commented on her thesis, with the ] saying that: | |||
| {{blockquote|If Mrs Merkel’s vision is pragmatic, so too is her plan for implementing it. It can be boiled down to three statistics, a few charts and some facts on an A4 sheet of paper. The three figures are 7%, 25% and 50%. Mrs Merkel never tires of saying that Europe has 7% of the world’s population, 25% of its GDP and 50% of its social spending. If the region is to prosper in competition with emerging countries, it cannot continue to be so generous.<ref name="economist.com">http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21579144-germanys-vision-europe-all-about-making-continent-more-competitive-merkel</ref>}} | |||
| adding that: | |||
| {{blockquote|She produces graphs of unit labour costs at EU meetings in much the same way that the late ] used to pull passages from ]’s “]” from her handbag.<ref name="economist.com"/>}} | |||
| The '']'' commented: | |||
| {{blockquote|Although Ms Merkel stopped short of suggesting that a ceiling on social spending might be one yardstick for measuring competitiveness, she hinted as much in the light of soaring social spending in the face of an ageing population.<ref>http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8cc0f584-45fa-11e2-b7ba-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3lYdU5Vca</ref><ref>The economist ] from ] in Budapest, in a paper published by the ] in New York has contended that a re-analysis of the Merkel hypothesis about the distribution of global social expenditure based on 169 countries for which we have recent ] ] data and ] ] data in ] reveals that the 27 EU countries with complete data spend only 33% of global world social protection expenditures, while the 13 non-EU-] members, among them the major other Western democracies, spend 40% of global social protection expenditures, the ] 18% and the Rest of the World 9% of global social protection expenditures. Most probably, the author claims, Merkel's 50% ratio is the product of a mere, simple projection of data for the OECD-member countries onto the world level (see http://www.oecd.org/social/expenditure.htm). Tausch also claims that the data reveal the successful social Keynesianism of the Anglo-Saxon overseas democracies, which are in stark contrast to the savings agenda in the framework of the European “], see Tausch, Arno, Wo Frau Kanzlerin Angela Merkel Irrt: Der Sozialschutz in Der Welt, Der Anteil Europas Und Die Beurteilung Seiner Effizienz (Where Chancellor Angela Merkel Got it Wrong: Social Protection in the World, Europe's Share in it and the Assessment of its Efficiency) (September 4, 2015). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2656113 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2656113</ref>}} | |||
| ===Approval ratings=== | |||
| Midway through her second term, Merkel's approval plummeted in Germany, resulting in heavy losses in state elections for her party.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/21/angela-merkel-crushed-hamburg-polls|title=Angela Merkel's party crushed in Hamburg poll|newspaper=The Guardian|date=21 February 2011|accessdate=23 August 2011|location=London|first=Helen|last=Pidd|archivedate=24 February 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110224215222/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/21/angela-merkel-crushed-hamburg-polls|deadurl=no}}</ref> An August 2011 poll found her coalition had only 36% support compared to a rival potential coalition's 51%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbio.com/Chancellor+Angela+Merkel/articles/tvb0mRYv0RF/German+opposition+hits+11+year+high+polls |title=German opposition hits 11-year high in polls|newspaper=]|date=5 August 2011|accessdate=23 August 2011|archivedate=11 October 2011|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20111011051049/http://www.zimbio.com/Chancellor+Angela+Merkel/articles/tvb0mRYv0RF/German+opposition+hits+11+year+high+polls}}</ref> However, she scored well on her handling of the recent euro crisis (69% rated her performance as good rather than poor), and her approval rating reached an all-time high of 77% in February 2012 and again in July 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Union dank Merkel im Umfrage-Aufwind|url=http://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/union-dank-merkel-im-umfrage-aufwind-1784909.html|newspaper=]|language=de|date=10 February 2012|accessdate=12 February 2012|archivedate=12 February 2012|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20120212234414/http://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/union-dank-merkel-im-umfrage-aufwind-1784909.html}}</ref> | |||
| ==Cabinets== | |||
| The ] was sworn in at 16:00 ] on 22 November 2005. On 31 October 2005, after the defeat of his favoured candidate for the position of Secretary General of the SPD, ] indicated that he would resign as Party Chairman, which he did in November. Ostensibly responding to this, ] (CSU), who was originally nominated as Minister for Economics and Technology, announced his withdrawal on 1 November 2005. While this was initially seen as a blow to Merkel's attempt at forming a viable coalition, the manner in which Stoiber withdrew earned him much ridicule and severely undermined his position as a Merkel rival. Separate conferences of the CDU, CSU, and SPD approved the proposed Cabinet on 14 November 2005. The ] was sworn in on 28 October 2009.<ref name=cabinet2009>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4836127,00.html|title=Merkel's new cabinet sworn in|newspaper=]|date=30 October 2009|accessdate=1 November 2009|last=Penfold|first=Chuck|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100601171452/http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4836127,00.html|archivedate=1 June 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| In 2013, Merkel won one of the most decisive victories in German history, achieving the best result for the CDU/CSU since reunification and coming within five seats of the first absolute majority in the Bundestag since 1957. However, with their preferred coalition partner, the FDP, failing to enter parliament for the first time since 1949, the CDU/CSU turned to the SPD to form the third ] in postwar German history and the second under Merkel's leadership. The ] was sworn in on 17 December 2013. | |||
| At the beginning of August 2015, ''{{lang|de|Der Spiegel}}'' reported that Merkel had "evidently decided to run again in 2017".<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|accessdate= 3 October 2015|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/01/us-germany-merkel-idUSKCN0Q636920150801|title=Merkel to run for fourth term in 2017: Der Spiegel|date=1 August 2015|first1=Erik| last1 = Kirschbaum}}</ref> | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| In 1977, Angela Kasner married physics student Ulrich Merkel and took his surname. The marriage ended in divorce in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|work=DHM|title=Biographie: Angela Merkel, geb. 1954|accessdate=2 March 2010|url=http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/biografien/MerkelAngela/index.html|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090225210100/http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/biografien/MerkelAngela/index.html|archivedate=2 February 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> Her second and current husband is quantum chemist and professor ], who has largely remained out of the media spotlight. They first met in 1981,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article4321502/Joachim-Sauer-das-Phantom-an-Merkels-Seite.html|title=Joachim Sauer, das Phantom an Merkels Seite|language=de|newspaper=]|date=14 August 2009|accessdate=11 June 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090816001253/http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article4321502/Joachim-Sauer-das-Phantom-an-Merkels-Seite.html|archivedate=16 August 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> became a couple later and married privately on 30 December 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bild.de/politik/2008/geschichte/bild-am-sonntag-erzaehlt-die-geschichte-einer-liebe-ohne-prunk-und-blitzlicht-6923102.bild.html|title=Das diskrete Gluck|language=de|newspaper=]|date=28 December 2008|accessdate=11 June 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140227173604/http://www.bild.de/politik/2008/geschichte/bild-am-sonntag-erzaehlt-die-geschichte-einer-liebe-ohne-prunk-und-blitzlicht-6923102.bild.html |archivedate=27 February 2014}}</ref> She has no children, but Sauer has two adult sons from a previous marriage.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/09/world/main1879305.shtml |author=James M Klatell|title=Germany's First Fella, Angela Merkel Is Germany's Chancellor; But Her Husband Stays Out Of The Spotlight|publisher=CBS News|date=9 August 2006|accessdate=2 March 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20060810174558/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/09/world/main1879305.shtml|archivedate=10 August 2006|deadurl=no}}</ref> She is a fervent ] fan and has been known to listen to games while in the Bundestag and to attend games of the ] in her official capacity.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.focus.de/kultur/vermischtes/angela-merkel-angela-merkel-im-fussballfieber_aid_940637.html|language=de|title=Angela Merkel im Fußballfieber|newspaper=Focus|accessdate=24 March 2013|date=15 March 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130521134823/http://www.focus.de/kultur/vermischtes/angela-merkel-angela-merkel-im-fussballfieber_aid_940637.html|archivedate=21 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-nationalmannschaft-kanzlerin-merkel-kommt-erst-wieder-zum-finale/6790336.html|title=Kanzlerin Merkel kommt erst wieder zum Finale|language=de|work=Handelsblatt|date=23 June 2012|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20120627125955/http://www.handelsblatt.com/fussball-nationalmannschaft-kanzlerin-merkel-kommt-erst-wieder-zum-finale/6790336.html|archivedate=27 June 2012|deadurl=no|accessdate=24 March 2013}}</ref> | |||
| On 6 January 2014, Merkel fractured a bone in her pelvis in a ] accident in ].<ref>{{cite news|date=6 January 2014|accessdate=6 January 2014|publisher=]|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25622660|title=Angela Merkel fractures pelvis in ski fall|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140106143844/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25622660|archivedate=6 January 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| ===Religion=== | |||
| Angela Merkel is a ] member of the ] ({{lang-de|Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz - EKBO}}), a ] ] (i.e. both ] and Lutheran) church body (so-called '']'') under the umbrella of the ] (EKD). The EKBO is a church of the ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ===Ancestry=== | |||
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| |1= 1. '''Angela Dorothea Merkel''' née '''Kasner''' (born 1954),<br/>] | |||
| |2= 2. ] (1926–2011),<br/>pastor | |||
| |3= 3. Herlind Jentzsch (1928–) | |||
| |4= 4. ] (1896–1959),<br/>policeman | |||
| |5= 5. Margarethe | |||
| |6= 6. ] (1886–1936),<br/>teacher, school administrator and senator in the ] | |||
| |7= 7. Gertrud Alma Drange | |||
| |8= 8. Ludwik Wojciechowski | |||
| |9= 9. Anna Kaźmierczak (1867–1943) | |||
| |10= | |||
| |11= | |||
| |12= Wilhelm Jentzsch,<br/>landowner (Gutsbesitzer) | |||
| |13= | |||
| |14= 14. ] (1866–1913),<br/>] of ] | |||
| |15= 15. Emma Wachs (1871–1935) | |||
| |16= | |||
| |17= | |||
| |18= 18. Bartłomiej Kaźmierczak (1828–?) | |||
| |19= 19. Apolonia Bielejewicz (1826–1903) | |||
| |20= | |||
| |21= | |||
| |22= | |||
| |23= | |||
| |24= | |||
| |25= | |||
| |26= | |||
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| |30= | |||
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| ==Honours and awards== | |||
| ===National honours=== | |||
| * {{flag|Germany}}: Grand Cross of the ]<ref>{{cite web|language=de|url=http://www.flegel-g.de/bundesverdienstkreuz.html|title=Bundesverdienstkreuz für Merkel|publisher=tagesschau|accessdate=21 September 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100921131157/http://www.flegel-g.de/bundesverdienstkreuz.html|archivedate=4 February 2008|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| * {{flag|India}}: Recipient of the ]<ref></ref> | |||
| * {{flag|Israel}}: Recipient of the ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/WATCH-LIVE-President-Peres-awards-Merkel-Medal-of-Distinction-343499|title=President Peres awards Germany's Merkel Medal of Distinction|newspaper=]|date=25 February 2014|archivedate=27 February 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/0140225194103/http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/WATCH-LIVE-President-Peres-awards-Merkel-Medal-of-Distinction-343499|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| * {{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross of the ]<ref></ref> | |||
| * {{flag|Norway}}: Knight Grand Cross of the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kongehuset.no/tildelinger.html?tid=28028&sek=27995&q=Merkel&type=&aarstall=|title= | |||
| Tildelinger av ordener og medaljer|publisher=Kongehuset|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20131104072925/http://www.kongehuset.no/tildelinger.html?tid=28028&sek=27995&q=Merkel&type=&aarstall=|archivedate=20 November 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| * {{flag|Peru}}: Grand Cross of the ] | |||
| * {{flag|Portugal}}: Grand Cross of the ] | |||
| * {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}: Knight Grand Officer of the ] | |||
| * {{flag|United States}}: Recipient of the ]<ref>{{cite news|date=18 November 2010|accessdate=18 April 2011|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/11/18/bill-russell-medal-of-freedom.ap/index.html|title=Russell among 15 Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees|publisher=]|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101120055148/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/11/18/bill-russell-medal-of-freedom.ap/index.html|archivedate=20 November 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>The medal is presented to people who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=]|url=http://en.wikisource.org/Executive_Order_11085|title=Executive Order 11085|accessdate=1 April 2011|quote=The Medal may be awarded by the President as provided in this order to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1), the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| ===Honorary degrees=== | |||
| *In 2007, Merkel was awarded an ] from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.huji.ac.il/htbin/hon_doc/doc_search.pl|title=Honorary Doctorates|publisher=The ]|archivedate=16 October 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081016123834/http://www3.huji.ac.il/htbin/hon_doc/doc_search.pl|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *In June 2008, she was awarded the honorary doctorate from Leipzig University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://db.uni-leipzig.de/aktuell/index.php?modus=pmanzeige&pm_id=3032|language=de|title= Pressemitteilung 2008/106 der Universität Leipzig|publisher=Universität Leipzig|date=20 May 2008|accessdate=2 March 2010|archivedate=20 December 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081220053741/http://db.uni-leipzig.de/aktuell/index.php?modus=pmanzeige&pm_id=3032|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *University of Technology in Wrocław (Poland) in September 2008<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rp.pl/artykul/195272_Doktorat_honoris_causa_dla_Merkel.html|title=Doktorat honoris causa dla Merkel|language=pl |newspaper=]|date=24 September 2008|accessdate=2 March 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20120513191634/http://www.rp.pl/artykul/195272_Doktorat_honoris_causa_dla_Merkel.html|archivedate=13 May 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and ] from ], ] on 12 October 2010 for her historical contribution to the European unification and for her global role in renewing international cooperation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://web.ubbcluj.ro/news/evenimente/view_ev.php?lang=En&id=588|title=Universitatea Babes-Bolyai|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110902021654/http://web.ubbcluj.ro/news/evenimente/view_ev.php?lang=En&id=588|archivedate=2 September 2011|accessdate=18 April 2011|publisher=Web.ubbcluj.ro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.realitatea.net/angela-merkel-va-primi-titlul-de-doctor-honoris-causa-al-universitatii-babes-bolyai_758475.html|title=Angela Merkel a primit titlul de Doctor Honoris Causa al Universităţii Babeş-Bolyai|work=]|date=12 October 2010|accessdate=18 April 2011|archivedate=15 October 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101015065340/http://www.realitatea.net/angela-merkel-va-primi-titlul-de-doctor-honoris-causa-al-universitatii-babes-bolyai_758475.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=ro|accessdate=18 April 2011|url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/europa/cancelarul-germaniei-angela-merkel-a-primit-titlul-de-doctor-honoris-causa-al-ubb-cluj-202331.html|title=Cancelarul Germaniei, Angela Merkel, a primit titlul de Doctor Honoris Causa al UBB Cluj|newspaper=]|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101015045938/http://www.romanialibera.ro/actualitate/europa/cancelarul-germaniei-angela-merkel-a-primit-titlul-de-doctor-honoris-causa-al-ubb-cluj-202331.html|archivedate=15 October 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *On 23 May 2013, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the ]. | |||
| *In November 2013, she was awarded the ] (Honoris Causa) title by the ]. | |||
| * In November 2014, she was awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa by ]. | |||
| * In September 2015, she was awarded the title Doctor Honoris Causa by the ]. | |||
| ===Other=== | |||
| *In 2006, Angela Merkel was awarded the ] for her contribution toward greater European integration. | |||
| *She received the ''Karlspreis'' (]) in 2008 for distinguished services to European unity.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Aachen|date=5 January 2008|accessdate=22 April 2014|url= http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2008/04/28april5may/angela-merkel-awarded-the-charlemagne-prize/60608.aspx|author=Mark Latham|title=Angela Merkel awarded the Charlemagne Prize|archivedate=6 May 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20080506134843/http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/2008/04/28april5may/angela-merkel-awarded-the-charlemagne-prize/60608.aspx}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.karlspreis.de/index.php?id=32&doc=68|title=Der Karlspreisträger 2009|author=]|publisher=]|language=de|archivedate=20 January 2008|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20081218212105/http://www.karlspreis.de/index.php?id=32&doc=68}}</ref> | |||
| *In March 2008, she received the B'nai B'rith Europe Award of Merit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bnaibritheurope.org/bbe/content/view/596/121/lang,en_GB/|title=B'nai B'rith Europe grants Award of Merit to Dr. Angela Merkel|author=John P. Reeves|publisher= B'nai B'rith Europe|archivedate=20 January 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110720033421/http://www.bnaibritheurope.org/bbe/content/view/596/121/lang,en_GB/|quote= . . . Dr Angela Merkel Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany was the recipient of a Gold Medal for outstanding services, the B’nai B’rith Europe Award of Merit, being the highest accolade of BBEurope}}</ref> | |||
| *Merkel topped '']'' magazine's list of "]" in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.<ref name=Forbes100>{{cite news|date=31 August 2006|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/11/06women_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|title=The 100 Most Powerful Women: #1 Angela Merkel|accessdate=1 May 2009|last=Serafin|first=Tatiana|newspaper=]|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090419033834/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/11/06women_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|archivedate=19 April 2009|deadurl=no}}<br/>{{cite news|accessdate=17 May 2009|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/11/biz-07women_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|title=The 100 Most Powerful Women: #1 Angela Merkel|last=Serafin|first=Tatiana|date=30 August 2007|newspaper=Forbes|archivedate=30 April 2009|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090430185427/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/11/biz-07women_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|deadurl=no}}<br/>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/11/biz_powerwomen08_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|title=The 100 Most Powerful Women: #1 Angela Merkel|accessdate=17 May 2009|last=Serafin|first=Tatiana|date=27 August 2008|newspaper=Forbes|archivedate=19 April 2009 |deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090419004926/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/11/biz_powerwomen08_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html}}<br/>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/11/power-women-09_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html|title=The 100 Most Powerful Women: #1 Angela Merkel|accessdate=20 August 2009|last=Serafin|first=Tatiana|date=19 August 2009|newspaper=Forbes|archivedate=19 April 2009|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090419004926/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/11/biz_powerwomen08_Angela-Merkel_34AH.html}}<br/>{{cite news|url=http://www.euronews.net/2011/08/26/merkel-most-powerful-woman-in-world-forbes/|title=Merkel most powerful woman in world: Forbes|accessdate=19 December 2011|date=26 August 2011|agency=]}}</ref> | |||
| *'']'' named Angela Merkel in "The World's 50 Most Influential Figures" 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2010/09/iron-frau-angela-merkel-greek |title=Angela Merkel – 50 People Who Matter 2010|accessdate=29 September 2010|archivedate=2 October 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20101002055811/http://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2010/09/iron-frau-angela-merkel-greek}}</ref> | |||
| *On 16 June 2010, the ''American Institute for Contemporary German Studies'' at '']'' in Washington D.C. awarded Chancellor Merkel its ''Global Leadership Award (AICGS)'' in recognition of her outstanding dedication to strengthening German-American relations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aicgs.org/support/merkel2010.aspx|title=Chancellor Angela Merkel Receives Global Leadership Award|accessdate=18 December 2013|archivedate=21 July 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110721135303/http://www.aicgs.org/support/merkel2010.aspx|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *On 21 September 2010, the ], a research institution in New York City devoted to the history of German-speaking Jewry, awarded Angela Merkel the ]. The medal was presented by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and current Director of the Jewish Museum Berlin, W. Michael Blumenthal, who cited Merkel's support of Jewish cultural life and the integration of minorities in Germany.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baeck|first=Leo|date=22 August 2010|url=http://leobaeckinstitute.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/lbi-presents-leo-baeck-medal-to-chancellor-angela-merkel/|title=LBI Presents Leo Baeck Medal to Chancellor Angela Merkel|place=]|publisher=]|accessdate=18 April 2011|archivedate=8 July 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110718101808/http://leobaeckinstitute.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/lbi-presents-leo-baeck-medal-to-chancellor-angela-merkel/|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *On 31 May 2011, she received the ] for the year 2009 from the ]. She received the award for International understanding.<ref>{{cite news|work=]|url= http://abclive.in/national/national/478-angela-merkel-jawaharlal-nehru-award-.html|title=Angela Merkel Receives Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding|date=1 June 2011|accessdate=16 November 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110926162623/http://abclive.in/national/national/478-angela-merkel-jawaharlal-nehru-award-.html|archivedate=26 September 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| *] ranked Merkel as the world's second most powerful person in ], the highest ranking achieved by a woman since the list began in 2009; she was ranked fifth in ] and ] | |||
| *On 28 November 2012, she received the Heinz Galinski Award in Berlin, Germany. | |||
| *India: ] (2013) | |||
| *In December 2015, she was named '']'' magazine's ].<ref></ref> | |||
| ==Comparisons== | |||
| ] in 2012]] | |||
| As a female politician from a centre right party who is also a scientist, Merkel has been compared by many in the English-language press to former ] ]. Some have referred to her as "]", "Iron Girl", and even "The Iron Frau" (all alluding to Thatcher, whose nickname was "The Iron Lady"—Thatcher also had a science degree from Oxford University in chemistry). Political commentators have debated the precise extent to which their agendas are similar.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2122001/|title=Is Angela Merkel the next Maggie Thatcher?|newspaper=Slate|date=5 July 2005|last=Risen|first=Clay|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20090428223123/http://www.slate.com/id/2122001/|archivedate=8 July 2005|deadurl=no}}</ref> Later in her tenure, Merkel acquired the nickname ''"Mutti"'' (a German familiar form of "mother"), said by '']'' to refer to an idealised mother figure from the 1950s and 1960s.<ref>{{cite news|work=Der Spiegel|url= http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,659018,00.html|title=Merkel's Dream of a Place in the History Books|last=Kurbjuweit|first=Dirk|date=11 March 2009|deadurl=no|archivedate=4 November 2009|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20091104215848/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,659018,00.html}}</ref> She has also been called the "Iron Chancellor", in reference to ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/21540283|title=The new iron chancellor|date=26 November 2009|newspaper=The Economist|archivedate=24 November 2011|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20111124193154/http://www.economist.com/node/21540283}}</ref> | |||
| In addition to being the first female German chancellor, the first to have grown up in the former East Germany (though she was born in the West<ref>{{cite book|last=Langguth|first=Gerd|title=Angela Merkel |date=August 2005|publisher=DTV|location=Munich|language=de|isbn=3-423-24485-2|page=10}}</ref>), and the youngest German chancellor since the Second World War, Merkel is also the first born after World War II, and the first chancellor of the Federal Republic with a background in natural sciences. She studied physics; her predecessors studied law, business or history or were military officers, among others. | |||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| Merkel has been criticised for being personally present and involved at the M100 Media Award handover<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/09/08/idINIndia-51367120100908|agency=Reuters |title=Merkel honours Mohammad cartoonist at press award|date=8 September 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20121002183108/http://in.reuters.com/article/2010/09/08/idINIndia-51367120100908|deadurl=no |archivedate=2 October 2012}}</ref> to Danish cartoonist ], who had triggered the ]. This happened at a time of fierce emotional debate in Germany over a book by the former ] executive and finance senator of Berlin ], which was critical of the Muslim immigration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,714643-2,00.html|title=The Sarrazin Debate: Germany Is Becoming Islamophobic|work=Spiegel Online|accessdate=18 April 2011|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110917054526/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,714643-2,00.html|archivedate=17 September 2011}}</ref> At the same time she condemned a planned burning of Korans by a fundamental pastor in Florida.<ref>{{cite news|last=Connor|first=Richard|url=http://www.dw.de/merkel-defends-muhammad-cartoonist-condemns-koran-burning/a-5986351|accessdate=2 May 2014|title= Merkel defends 'Muhammad' cartoonist, condemns Koran-burning|newspaper=]|date=8 September 2010}}</ref> The ]<ref>BBC: Germany's Central Muslim Council (Zentralrat der Muslime in Deutschland) criticised Mrs. Merkel for attending the award ceremony. 8 September 2010. A ZMD spokesman, Aiman Mazyek, told public broadcaster Deutschlandradio that the Chancellor was honouring someone "who in our eyes kicked our prophet, and therefore kicked all Muslims". He said giving Mr Westergaard the prize in a "highly charged and heated time" was "highly problematic".</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11236158|publisher=BBC News|title=Merkel honours Danish Muhammad cartoonist Westergaard|date=8 September 2010|archivedate=8 September 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100908191909/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11236158|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the Left Party<ref>{{cite news|deadurl=no|url=http://die-linke.de/nc/die_linke/nachrichten/detail/artikel/merkels-affront-gegen-muslime/|title=Merkel's affront to Muslims|author=Christine Buchholz|publisher=]|date=9 September 2010|accessdate=18 April 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110718231922/http://die-linke.de/nc/die_linke/nachrichten/detail/artikel/merkels-affront-gegen-muslime/|archivedate=18 July 2011 |language=de}}</ref> (]) as well as the ]<ref>Grüne/Bündnis 90 Spokesman Renate Künast: "I wouldn't have done it", said Green Party floor leader Renate Künast. It was true that the right to freedom of expression also applies to cartoons, she said. "But if a chancellor also makes a speech on top of that, it serves to heat up the debate."</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Spiegel Online|accessdate=18 April 2011|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,716503,00.html|title=Award for Danish Muhammad Cartoonist: Merkel Defends Press Freedom, Condemns Koran-Burning|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20110916060009/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,716503,00.html|archivedate=16 September 2011}}</ref> criticised the action by the centre-right chancellor. The '']'' newspaper wrote: "This will probably be the most explosive moment of her chancellorship so far."<ref>{{cite news|deadurl=no|url= http://www.faz.net/s/Rub9B4326FE2669456BAC0CF17E0C7E9105/Doc~E6762D4CF046141829F1A9533368C843E~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html|language=de|title=Ehrung des Mohammed-Karikaturisten: Angela Merkels Risiko |publisher=]|date=8 September 2010|accessdate=18 April 2011|archivedate=8 September 2010|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100908195655/http://www.faz.net/s/Rub9B4326FE2669456BAC0CF17E0C7E9105/Doc~E6762D4CF046141829F1A9533368C843E~ATpl~Ecommon~Scontent.html}}</ref> Others have praised Merkel and called it a brave and bold move for the cause of freedom of speech. | |||
| Merkel's position towards the negative statements by ] with regard to the integration problems with Arab and Turkish people in Germany has been critical throughout. According to her personal statements, Sarrazin’s approach is "totally unacceptable" and counterproductive to the ongoing problems of integration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.n24.de/news/newsitem_6296213.html|title=Merkel: Sarrazin spaltet Gesellschaft|agency=]|accessdate=14 January 2013|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20100903170236/http://www.n24.de/news/newsitem_6296213.html|archivedate=3 September 2010|language=de|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Members of her cabinet and Merkel herself also support state schools enabling ]ic religious instruction (similar to the provision of denominational Christian religious instruction).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_670562/Content/DE/AudioVideo/2009/Video/2009-05-18-Townhall-Islamunterricht-an-Schulen/2009-05-18-Islamunterricht-an-Schulen.html|title=REGIERUNGonline – Islamunterricht an Schulen|publisher=]|date=17 May 2009|accessdate=18 April 2011|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20120122071953/http://www.bundesregierung.de/nn_670562/Content/DE/AudioVideo/2009/Video/2009-05-18-Townhall-Islamunterricht-an-Schulen/2009-05-18-Islamunterricht-an-Schulen.html|archivedate=22 January 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article9455640/De-Maiziere-dringt-auf-Islam-Unterricht-an-Schulen.html|title=Bundesregierung: De Maizière dringt auf Islam-Unterricht an Schulen|publisher=] Online|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/2010090813031/http://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article9455640/De-Maiziere-dringt-auf-Islam-Unterricht-an-Schulen.html|archivedate=8 September 2010|accessdate=18 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,541284,00.html|title=Integration: Schäuble und Muslime planen Islam-Unterricht an deutschen Schulen|work=]|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20080315161014/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,541284,00.html|deadurl=no |archivedate=15 March 2008|language=de|accessdate=15 March 2008}}</ref> | |||
| The term ''alternativlos'' (German for "without an alternative"), which was frequently used by Angela Merkel to describe her measures addressing the ], was named the ] by a jury of linguistic scholars. The wording was criticised as undemocratic, as any discussion on Merkel's politics would thus be deemed unnecessary or undesirable.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sprachkritik: "Alternativlos" ist das Unwort des Jahres|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/sprachkritik-alternativlos-ist-das-unwort-des-jahres-a-740096.html|work=Spiegel Online|accessdate=2 July 2013|date=18 January 2011|language=de|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130922064713/http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/sprachkritik-alternativlos-ist-das-unwort-des-jahres-a-740096.html|archivedate=22 September 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The expression is credited for the name of the political party ], which was founded in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=Prantl|first=Heribert|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/afd-alternative-dank-merkel-1.1778969|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=]|title=Alternative dank Merkel|date=24 September 2013|archivedate=27 September 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130929110752/http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/afd-alternative-dank-merkel-1.1778969}}</ref> | |||
| Her trademark '']'' has been described as "probably one of the most recognisable hand gestures in the world". Its ] received mixed reviews, ranging from being prominently used by the CDU during the ] campaign, to accusations of a ] that were brought forth by her opponents.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news|title='Merkel diamond' takes centre stage in German election campaign|newspaper=]|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/german-elections-blog-2013/2013/sep/03/angela-merkel-diamond-german-election-campaign|accessdate=8 September 2013|date=3 September 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130910203757/http://www.theguardian.com/world/german-elections-blog-2013/2013/sep/03/angela-merkel-diamond-german-election-campaign|archivedate=10 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
| In July 2013, Merkel defended the ] of the ], and described the United States as "our truest ally throughout the decades".<ref>{{cite web|title=German Chancellor Merkel Defends Work of Intelligence Agencies|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-chancellor-merkel-defends-work-of-intelligence-agencies-a-910491.html|work=]|accessdate=1 February 2014|date=10 July 2013|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140502215930/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-chancellor-merkel-defends-work-of-intelligence-agencies-a-910491.html|archivedate=2 May 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/germanys-merkel-rejects-nsa-stasi-comparison|title= Germany's Merkel rejects NSA-Stasi comparison|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=28 December 2013|date=10 July 2013|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130826143738/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/germanys-merkel-rejects-nsa-stasi-comparison|archivedate=26 August 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> During a visit of U.S. President Barack Obama in Berlin, Merkel said on 19 June 2013 in the context of the ]: "The Internet is virgin soil for us all". ("Das Internet ist Neuland für uns alle.") Her sentence led to various ] and online mockery of Merkel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Strange|first=Hannah|title=Angela Merkel refers to internet as 'virgin territory'|accessdate=25 October 2013|date=20 June 2013|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10133039/Angela-Merkel-refers-to-internet-as-virgin-territory.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20131206063727/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10133039/Angela-Merkel-refers-to-internet-as-virgin-territory.html|archivedate=27 June 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Frickel|first=Claudia|title=Merkel beim Besuch von Obama: Das Netz lacht über Merkels "Internet-Neuland"|accessdate=25 October 2013|newspaper=]|deadurl=no|url=http://www.focus.de/digital/internet/merkel-beim-besuch-von-obama-das-netz-lacht-ueber-merkels-internet-neuland_aid_1020060.html|date=20 June 2013|language=de|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130930224024/http://www.focus.de/digital/internet/merkel-beim-besuch-von-obama-das-netz-lacht-ueber-merkels-internet-neuland_aid_1020060.html|archivedate= 30 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
| Merkel has compared the NSA to the ] when it became known that her mobile phone was tapped by that agency. In response ] pledged that the USA will desist from spying on her personally, but said there would not be a no-espionage agreement between the two countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/17/merkel-compares-nsa-stasi-obama|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=]|last=Traynor|first=Ian|title=Merkel compared NSA to Stasi in heated encounter with Obama|date=17 December 2013|archivedate=17 December 2013|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130930224024/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/17/merkel-compares-nsa-stasi-obama|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| On 18 July 2014 Merkel said trust between Germany and the United States could only be restored by talks between the two, and she would seek to have talks. She reiterated the U.S. remained Germany's most important ally.<ref name="MerkelView">{{cite news|title=Sensible talks urged by Merkel to restore trust with US|url=http://www.germanynews.net/index.php/sid/223906791/scat/0b761d844c35f1be/ht/Sensible-talks-urged-by-Merkel-to-restore-trust-with-USm|accessdate=18 July 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140728032851/http://www.germanynews.net/index.php/sid/223906791/scat/0b761d844c35f1be/ht/Sensible-talks-urged-by-Merkel-to-restore-trust-with-USm|archivedate=28 July 2014|deadurl=no|publisher=Germany News.Net}}</ref> | |||
| In August 2014, Merkel visited ] to show her support for Ukrainian President ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/23/us-ukraine-crisis-germany-gabriel-idUSKBN0GN08X20140823|title=Germany's vice-chancellor backs 'federalization' in Ukraine|agency=Reuters|date=23 August 2014|accessdate=23 August 2014|archivedate=23 August 2014|deadurl=no |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140823170300/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/23/us-ukraine-crisis-germany-gabriel-idUSKBN0GN08X20140823}}</ref> ] said that "Merkel’s visit is an opportunity for her to denounce violations of international humanitarian law by the Ukrainian military."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/22/dispatches-merkel-shouldn-t-let-ukrainian-abuses-slide|title=Merkel Shouldn’t Let Ukrainian Abuses Slide|publisher=Human Rights Watch|author=Wenzel Michalski|date=22 August 2014|accessdate=23 August 2014|archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20140825180107/http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/22/dispatches-merkel-shouldn-t-let-ukrainian-abuses-slide|archivedate=25 August 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| Her statement "Islam is part of Germany" during a state visit of the Turkish prime minister ] in January 2015<ref>, {{ill|de|Idea|Evangelische Nachrichtenagentur Idea|Idea (news agency)}}, 19 January 2015 {{de icon}}</ref> induced criticism within her party. The ] ] said that Islam is not part of Germany and that Muslims should deliberate on the question why so many violent people refer to the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/gesellschaft/id_72532980/kauder-widerspricht-merkel-islam-gehoert-nicht-zu-deutschland-.html|title=Kauder: 'Der Islam gehört nicht zu Deutschland'|trans_title=Kauder: "Islam does not belong to Germany"|agency=]/]|date=18 January 2015|accessdate=20 January 2015|language=de}}</ref> | |||
| ==Other== | |||
| In 2015, an open letter the ] had collected signatures for was addressed to her and ], urging them to focus on women as they serve as the head of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively, which will start to set the priorities in development funding before a main UN summit in September 2015 that will establish new development goals for the generation.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tracy McVeigh |url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/07/povert-sexist-letter-women-equality-gaga-sandberg-beyonce |title=Poverty is sexist: leading women sign up for global equality | Life and style |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==In the arts and media== | |||
| Merkel features as a main character in two of the three plays that make up the Europeans Trilogy ("Bruges", "Antwerp", "Tervuren") by Paris-based UK playwright ]: "Bruges" (], 2014) and "Tervuren" (2016). A character named Merkel, accompanied by a sidekick called ], also appears as the sinister female henchman in ]'s novel ''In Search of Sixpence.''<ref>Michael Paraskos, ''In Search of Sixpence'' (London: Friction Press, 2016)</ref> | |||
| ==Notes== | |||
| {{Notelist}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| *] (2014) "Angela Merkel" in ''Women of Power – Half a Century of Female Presidents and Prime Ministers Worldwide'', Bristol: Policy Press, ISBN 978-1-44731-578-0 | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Sister project links|Angela Merkel|wikt=Merkozy|s=Author:Angela Merkel|display=Angela Merkel}} | |||
| * {{en icon}} | |||
| * {{de icon}} | |||
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| *{{C-SPAN|angelamerkel}} | |||
| *{{IMDb name|1361767}} | |||
| *{{Aljazeeratopic|person/angela-merkel}} | |||
| *{{Bloombergtopic|angela-merkel}} | |||
| * collected news and commentary at '']'' | |||
| * collected news and commentary at '']'' | |||
| *{{NYTtopic|people/m/angela_merkel}} | |||
| * collected news and commentary at '']'' | |||
| *{{WSJtopic|person/M/angela-merkel/5351}} | |||
| *{{Cite journal|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/01/quiet-german|title=The Quiet German|first=George|last=Packer|authorlink=George Packer|date=1 December 2014|journal=]|pages=46–63}} | |||
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| |NAME = Merkel, Angela | |||
| |ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Merkel, Angela Dorothea (full name) | |||
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Revision as of 03:37, 14 December 2015
european defense league! - this is a warning! - muslims are not welcome in the eu