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Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel, German chancellor from 2005 to 2021, is held in high esteem at home and abroad.

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg on July 17, 1954, the daughter of a Protestant pastor who moved his family to East Germany. After gaining a Ph.D. in chemistry, Merkel entered politics in the wake of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989. Following German reunification in 1990, Merkel was elected to the Bundestag and appointed minister for women and youth in 1991, later becoming minister for the environment, nature conservation and nuclear safety in 1994. She served as leader of the Christian Democratic Union from 2000 to 2018 and was elected as chancellor in 2005. Here you can find all DW content on Angela Merkel.

North Rhine-Westphalia's State Premier, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and CDU's candidate for chancellor Armin Laschet poses with uprising veteran Wanda Traczyk-Stawska (L) at the Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery in Warsaw, Poland on August 1, 2021. - Laschet is on a two-day visit to Poland on the occasion of commemorations on the 77th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising that started on August 1, 1944. (Photo by Wojtek Radwanski / AFP)

Poland: Germany chancellor candidate in Warsaw on uprising anniversary 01.08.2021

Armin Laschet toured a museum to commemorate the Polish resistance effort against German occupation in 1944. The conservative is the favorite to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel after September's federal election.
Bildnummer: 53475140 Datum: 01.10.2009 Copyright: imago/sepp spiegl People Buchpr‰sentation Pr‰sentation Buch Pressetermin kbdig xsk 2009 quer Politik D¸sseldorf, den 1.10.2009: Armin Laschet, Minister f¸r Generationen, Familie, Frauen und Integration des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, anl‰sslich der Pr‰sentation seines Buches - Die Aufsteigerrepublik - Zuwanderung als Chance Bildnummer 53475140 Date 01 10 2009 Copyright Imago Sepp Spiegl Celebrities Book presentation Presentation Book Press call Kbdig xSK 2009 horizontal politics Dusseldorf the 1 10 2009 Armin Laschet Ministers for Generations Family Women and Integration the Country North Rhine Westphalia during the Presentation its Book the Immigration as Chance

Germany: Chancellor candidate Laschet admits to plagiarism 'mistakes' 30.07.2021

Armin Laschet, the favorite to replace Angela Merkel after federal elections in September, is again apologizing for missteps. Last week it was for his handling of major floods, now it's for plagiarism.
Oksana Lyniv (43), Dirigentin aus der Ukraine. Der erklärte Höhepunkt der Bayreuther Festspiele ist gleichzeitig ein tatsächlich historischer Moment: Zum ersten Mal in 145 Jahren Festspielgeschichte wird eine Frau am Dirigentenpult von Bayreuth stehen. +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

Women lead at the Bayreuth Festival 26.07.2021

The festival opened with an electrifying staging of Richard Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman," with singer Asmik Grigorian and conductor Oksana Lyniv outshining the men.
Ex-Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder (l-r), der französische Premierminister François Fillon, der Vorstandsvorsitzende der E.ON AG, Johannes Teyssen, Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU), der niederländische Ministerpräsident Mark Rutte, der russische Staatspräsident Dmitri Medwedew, Gazprom-Manager Alexei Miller, der EU-Kommissar für Energie, Günter Oettinger, der BASF-Vorstandsvorsitzende Kurt Bock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns Ministerpräsident Erwin Sellering (SPD), der Geschäftsführer des deutsch-russischen Gas-Pipeline-Konsortiums (Nord Stream AG); Matthias Warnig, und der Geschäftsführer der Nederlandse Gasunie, Paul van Gelder (l-r) eröffnen am Dienstag (08.11.2011) mit einem symbolischen Akt die Ostsee-Pipeline Nord Stream in Lubmin. Die rund 7,4 Milliarden Euro teure Pipeline des russisch-europäischen Konsortiums Nord Stream verbindet Deutschland und Westeuropa direkt und unter Umgehung von Transitländern mit einem der größten Erdgasfelder der Welt. Gaslieferant ist der russische Energiekonzern Gazprom, der mit 51 Prozent auch Mehrheitseigner der Nord Stream AG ist. Foto: Stefan Sauer dpa/lmv +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

The history of Nord Stream 23.07.2021

The Nord Stream pipeline between Russia and Germany has caused much trans-Atlantic strife in its two-decade history. But Angela Merkel's dogged separation of trade and politics won out in the end.
***BG Wie grün ist Merkel?*** +++Archivbild+++ Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel (CDU), aufgenommen am Donnerstag (16.08.07) während einer Schiffsrundfahrt durch den Eisfjord bei Ilulissat in Grönland. Zusammen mit Bundesumweltminister Gabriel besucht die Kanzlerin während einer zweitägigen Reise Grönland, um sich über die Folgen der Klimaerwärmung zu informieren. Foto: Michael Kappeler +++(c) dpa - Report+++ | Verwendung weltweit

Has Angela Merkel lived up to her 'climate chancellor' aspirations? 23.07.2021

As Angela Merkel prepares to leave office, she leaves behind a mixed legacy in terms of climate policy.

TOPSHOT - German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and North Rhine-Westphalia's State Premier, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and CDU's candidate for Chancellery Armin Laschet (2ndR) visit the flood-ravaged city of Iversheim, near Bad Munstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia state, western Germany, on July 20, 2021. - The German government on July 19, 2021 pledged to improve the country's under-fire warning systems as emergency services continued to search for victims of the worst flooding in living memory, with at least 165 people confirmed dead. (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY / POOL / AFP) (Photo by WOLFGANG RATTAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany floods: Politicians and the balancing act amid crisis 23.07.2021

As Germany reels from catastrophic floods, experts doubt there will be a lasting effect on the upcoming national election. But candidates will have to walk a fine line between showing empathy and exploiting tragedy.

Jan. 14, 2021, ++++ file photo, tugboats get into position on the Russian pipe-laying vessel Fortuna in the port of Wismar, Germany. The special vessel is being used for construction work on the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. Pressure is growing on President Joe Biden to take action to prevent the completion of a Russian gas pipeline to Europe that many fear will give the Kremlin significant leverage over U.S. partners and allies. (Jens Buettner/dpa via AP)

Opinion: Nord Stream 2 — Angela Merkel’s damaging legacy 22.07.2021

Berlin's pipeline policy with Russia is an indictment of German foreign policy and has divided the West. Germany must now regain trust — and stand by Ukraine, says Frank Hofmann.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, smiles as she holds her annual summer news conference in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Hannibal Hanschke/Pool Photo via AP)

Angela Merkel's last federal press conference: 'It was a pleasure' 22.07.2021

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made her last ever appearance at the summer federal press conference, a tradition organized by a union of Berlin journalists. Many of the questions look back at her 16 years in office.
Aktuell,22.07.2021,Berlin,Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel im Portrait bei der Bundespressekonferenz zur Sommer-Pressekonferenz zu Aktuellen Themen der Innen- und Aussenpolitik

Coronavirus: Angela Merkel urges citizens to get vaccinated 22.07.2021

Merkel has warned that coronavirus restrictions may have to be reintroduced to curb a rise in cases. The chancellor also called for "patience" in the wake of last week's devastating floods.
Hannover, Deutschland 25. September 2020: Globaler Klimastreik - Fridays for Future - Hannover - 25.09.2020 Ein Demoplakat mit der Aufschrift Eco not Ego auf der Raschplatzhochstrasse hoch. Im Hintergrund steht der Volkswagen-Turm. | Verwendung weltweit

Opinion: The deadly floods are Germany's moment of truth 21.07.2021

The flood disaster in Germany is also a wake-up call for climate policy. But the most promising chancellor candidate seems strangely unambitious, writes Anja Brockmann.
FILE - In this Nov. 11, 2018 file photo a ship works offshore in the Baltic Sea on the natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 from Russia to Germany. The company building a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany says it's confident of getting an outstanding permit from Denmark to close the gap on the 1,200 kilometers ,746 miles, route. (Bernd Wuestneck/dpa via AP)

Germany, US strike Nord Stream 2 compromise deal 21.07.2021

The controversial pipeline has long been opposed by Washington, but Chancellor Angela Merkel had made its completion a key policy goal before she leaves office in September.
DW Business – Asia

DW Business – Asia 21.07.2021

Flood Aid - Cookie Diplomacy - A Deal in the Pipeline?
Climate change, migration: How Merkel’s potential successors measure up

Climate change, migration: How Merkel’s potential successors measure up 21.07.2021

Merkel is leaving office after 16 years. One of three candidates could succeed her. DW analyzed: What do they talk about in parliament? How do they vote? And what does that mean for their potential chancellorship?
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) and North Rhine-Westphalia's State Premier, Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader and CDU's candidate for Chancellery Armin Laschet (R) arrive to visit a food relief center in the flood-ravaged spa town Bad Munstereifel, North Rhine-Westphalia state, western Germany, on July 20, 2021. - The German government on July 19, 2021 pledged to improve the country's under-fire warning systems as emergency services continued to search for victims of the worst flooding in living memory, with at least 165 people confirmed dead. (Photo by Oliver Berg / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OLIVER BERG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany floods: Angela Merkel visits hard-hit North Rhine-Westphalia 20.07.2021

More than 160 people have died as a result of last week's devastation, but with dozens more still unaccounted for, the death toll is expected to rise. Merkel has pledged financial assistance.
Police officers and volunteers clean rubble in an area affected by floods caused by heavy rainfalls in Bad Muenstereifel, Germany, July 18, 2021. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen

Germany ponders lessons from deadly floods — as it happened 19.07.2021

As Germany mourns after deadly floods devastated swaths of the country, the cleanup operation goes on. The situation remains tense in some areas. Follow DW for more.
Altenahr, 17.7.2021*** Members of the fire brigade help during clearing work in Altenahr, western Germany, after heavy rain hit parts of the country, causing widespread flooding and major damage. - Rescue workers scrambled on July 17 to find survivors and victims of the devastation wreaked by the worst floods to hit western Europe in living memory, which have already left more than 150 people dead and dozens more missing. (Photo by Torsten SILZ / AFP)

Germany floods: Death toll mounts as Merkel visits hard-hit region 19.07.2021

Emergency workers have continued rescue and cleanup operations in areas ravaged by the floodwaters. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised swift help to rebuild devastated communities.
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