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[[File:Merkel.jpg|thumb|290px|Merkel between the flags of Germany (left) and the European Union (EU)]]'''Angela Merkel'''  (born 17th July 1954) was elected in December 2013 to her third term as the Chancellor of Germany, the top position for a broad coalition government.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/17/world/europe/germany-merkel/</ref> She is also the leader of the German [[Christian Democratic Party]] (CDU), representing conservatives. She has served as the Chancellor (Bundeskanzlerin) of Germany since 2005, a position comparable to the prime minister in other parliamentary forms of government.

[[File:Merkel.jpg|thumb|Merkel between the flags of Germany (left) and the European Union (EU)]]'''Angela Merkel'''  (born 17th July 1954) was elected in December 2013 to her third term as the chancellor of Germany, the top position for a broad coalition government.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/17/world/europe/germany-merkel/</ref> She is also the leader of the German [[Christian Democratic Party]] (CDU), representing conservatives. She has served as the chancellor of Germany since 2005, a position comparable to the prime minister in other parliamentary forms of government.

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Angela Dorthea Kasner Merkel was born in [[Hamburg]] but three years later he family moved to Templin, Brandenburg in the former [[German Democratic Republic]]. Her father, Horst Kasner, was a Protestant Pastor who had studied Theology at Heidelburg University. Her mother, Herlind, was an English and Latin teacher. The Kasner family was increased when Angela's brother Marcus was born in 1957 and her sister Irene in 1964.

Angela Dorthea Kasner Merkel was born in [[Hamburg]] but three years later he family moved to Templin, Brandenburg in [[East Germany]]. Her father, Horst Kasner, was a Protestant pastor who had studied Theology at Heidelburg University. Her mother, Herlind, was an English and Latin teacher. The Kasner family was increased when Angela's brother Marcus was born in 1957 and her sister Irene in 1964.

==Career==

==Career==

Merkel grew up in the former Communist [[East Germany]] (DDR) just outside Berlin.  Merkel was educated in Templin and at the University of Leipzig, where she studied physics (1973-1978).

Merkel grew up in the Communist [[East Germany]] just outside Berlin.  Merkel was educated in Templin and at the University of Leipzig, where she studied physics (1973-1978).

She worked and studied at the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences (1978-1990). After graduating with a doctorate in physics working in quantum chemistry. In 1989 she became involved in the growing [[democracy]] movement and, after the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]], she got a job as government spokesperson following the first democratic elections.  She joined the CDU two months before German reunification and within three months she was in [[Helmut Kohl]]'s cabinet as minister for women and youth.  In 1994 she was made minister for the environment.  

 

She worked and studied at the Central Institute for Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences (1978-1990). After graduating with a doctorate in physics working in quantum chemistry. In 1989 she became involved in the growing [[democracy]] movement and, after the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]], she got a job as government spokesperson following the first democratic elections.  She joined the CDU two months before German reunification and within three months she was in [[Helmut Kohl]]'s cabinet as minister for women and youth.  In 1994 she was made minister for the environment.  

Her East German background has stood her in good stead. For the first 36 years of her life, she honed her skills at covering up or suppressing her feelings -- essential in a society where practically every room contained a [[Stasi]] informer, especially if you were a pastor's daughter.  Speaking near perfect English and remarking on her background as an Ossi she says, "Anyone who really has something to say doesn't need make-up".

Her East German background has stood her in good stead. For the first 36 years of her life, she honed her skills at covering up or suppressing her feelings -- essential in a society where practically every room contained a [[Stasi]] informer, especially if you were a pastor's daughter.  Speaking near perfect English and remarking on her background as an Ossi she says, "Anyone who really has something to say doesn't need make-up".

==2005 Victory==

==2005 victory==

[[File:Angela Merkel.jpg|200px|left]]

[[File:Angela Merkel.jpg|200px|left]]

Merkel was first elected as chancellor of Germany in 2005. She ruled together with the left-center [[SPD]] until 2009.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10518099/Germanys-Social-Democrats-vote-to-form-grand-coalition-with-Angela-Merkel.html</ref>

Merkel was first elected as chancellor of Germany in 2005. She ruled together with the left-center [[SPD]] until 2009.<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10518099/Germanys-Social-Democrats-vote-to-form-grand-coalition-with-Angela-Merkel.html</ref>