2024-07-18 03:19:30
Merkel, who has been at the helm of Europe’s largest economy for 16 years, has already been congratulated and respected by German politicians.
Merkel was the first woman in this position.
Even before her birthday, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier hailed Merkel as “a role model and an important feature of our democracy.”
As chancellor, Merkel paved the way for a united Germany, the president said.
Merkel was also greeted by former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a social democrat whom Merkel replaced after the 2005 elections.
“Among all the political opponents, she is special. In the end, she won,” Schroeder said in an interview with Stern magazine.
Merkel was born in Hamburg, West Germany, on July 17, 1954, but her family moved to East Germany shortly after.
She studied physics at the University of Leipzig and obtained a PhD in quantum chemistry.
Merkel’s political career began as deputy press secretary of East Germany’s first freely elected government.
After German reunification in 1990, she was elected to the German parliament from the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and later served as Minister for Women and Youth Affairs and Minister for the Environment.
Merkel led the CDU from 2000 to 2018 and was chancellor from 2005 to 2021.
She was also the first chancellor who grew up in East Germany.
2024-07-18 03:19:30