Nationality: German
Offices Held: Chancellor of Germany
Party: Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is the first woman to serve as Chancellor of the German Federation, the most powerful political and governmental position in the country. Because Germany has the largest population in Europe and the third largest economy in the world, this makes her not only one of the most influential people in Europe but also one of the most powerful people in the world.
In addition to this influential position, Ms. Merkel has also served as President of the European Council, the most influential position in the European Union, and as the Chair of the G8, which is the annual meeting of the world’s eight richest nations. She is only the second woman to have chaired the G8, after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
TIME Magazine has named Ms. Merkel as one of their 100 most influential people in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2008, Forbes Magazine named Ms. Merkel as the most powerful women in the world for the third year in a row, listing her before Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Condoleeza Rice, The Queen of England, Laura Bush, and the female CEO’s of Pepsi, the FDIC, and Wellspoint, among others.
Ms. Merkel was elected to the position after an incredibly close election in 2005 against CDU’s main rival, the Social Democratic Party (SPD). She currently serves as Chancellor in a coalition government with the SPD.
Ms. Merkel has a Ph.D in Physics and is married with no children.
2005 Campaign Poster
