From the caricaturist's pen: The German chancellor

Everyone follows her command: Greece and Spain have already danced to Angela Merkel's tune so many times they have lost their shirts. Not only is Italy about to lose its pants, it is just a matter of time before Portugal is left standing naked. In southern Europe, the chancellor is regarded as the brains behind austerity measures to save the euro. (Nonada magazine, Spain)

In Greece, Merkel is most despised European politician. Greeks hold her personally responsible for the deterioration of the country's economy and the growing poverty. The depiction of the chancellor as a jailor is one of the more harmless illustrations. She is often portrayed as a blood-sucking vampire, a dominatrix or even with a Hitler mustache. (To paron, Athens)

The European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Merkel ride into Europe on piggy banks. At least the chancellor has the flair of a Jeanne d'Arc figure among the gloomy fellows, according to Portuguese illustrator Rodrigo de Matos in Lisbon's daily Expresso.

India is also aware of the eurozone crisis. Asia's economic giant has long written off the European economy as damaged. Only Germany has managed to save itself onto an island. Whom will Angela Merkel throw the life preserver to? No easy question, according to TVG Menon (published in Kakkanad Kerala, India).

For once in the north of Europe, the chancellor is not perceived as a bloodsucker. No wonder: it is not the euro that reigns here, but the crown. Swedish illustrator Jan-Erik Ander almost seems to feel sorry for an unhappy looking Merkel. Depicted as a sow, she has to nurse eight piglets, and a ninth is on its way (published by toonpool).

Many in Afghanistan seem to believe Merkel is too gullible. The chancellor hopes for peace for the region and - with President Karzai's approval - buys the Taliban's weapons. But the Taliban wouldn't dream of ceasing the fight - and organize new supplies in Pakistan. The caricaturist Shahid Atiqullah lives in Kabul. (Kabul Newspaper)

Word about Merkel's reputation as a tough chancellor who has kept her country on course for success reached the United States. In the economically stricken US, illustrator Bob Englehart and President Barack Obama wonder: How does the chancellor manage to keep Germany stable in a Europe buffeted by the crisis? (The Hartford Courant, USA)

On the international stage, politicians can't say what they really think about their counterparts. Many Russians seem to see their own president as similar to Merkel. She, however, hardly plays a role in Putin's empire. But those Russians fighting for democracy are disappointed that Merkel doesn't stand up to Putin more often (Facebook, Russia).

The Arab World has been rocked by revolution and civil war. The German chancellor doesn't play in a role in that. Some men in the patriarchal societies wonder why a woman is permitted to govern. As the representative of a major industrial nation she symbolizes a coveted product - the quality car made in Germany (Facebook, Egypt)

Her thoughtful and prudent manner is popular with voters, who seem to trust her blindly - according to opinion polls. Whether it’s the the eurozone crisis, the drone scandal or the NSA spying scandal, people blame her party, but not Merkel herself. It's a tall order for challenger Steinbrück, who struggles to be taken seriously, especially by Merkel. (Germany, Main-Post)