Guide Note:
Angela Merkel, born in 1954, is a former Women and Youth Minister, and an Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Minister, from Germany. In addition, she is also the country's current Chancellor.
Fast Facts:
- Birth Name: Angela Dorothea Kasner
- Born July 17, 1954, in Hamburg, Germany
- Party: CDU
- Assumed Office: November 22, 2005
- Preceded by: Gerhard Schroder
- Alma Mater: University of Leipzig
- Profession: Physicist
- Spouse: Joachim Sauer
- Previous Position/Office: Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Minister
- Preceded by: Klaus Topfer
- Succeeded by: Jurgen Trittin
- Member of Free German Youth
Political Background
In 1998, Merkel became the Secretary-General of the CDU. On April 10, 2000, Merkel was named the first woman chair of her party, replacing Wolfgang Schauble. She was sworn in as Chancellor on November 22, 2005. Her goal was to reduce the unemployment rates in Germany, and to improve the country's economy.
Significance
Merkel was a staunch supporter of the U.S.'s invasion of Iraq. In both 2006, and 2007, Merkel was named one of the world's 100 most powerful women by Forbes magazine. In 2008, she was awarded the Karlspreis, for her commitment to unifying Europe.
