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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).

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".

===2009 election===

===2009 election===

[[File:Germ-vote-2009.jpg|300px|thumb|Exit polls from Sept. 2009 election won by the conservative coalition CDU and FDP]]

[[File:Germ-vote-2009.jpg|300px|thumb|Exit polls from Sept. 2009 election won by the conservative coalition CDU and FDP]]

The September 2009 elections were a major win for the conservative forces led by Chancellor Merkel, breaking a stalemate and opening the way for more conservative economic policies. Previously since an indecisive election in 2005 the center-right [[Christian Democratic Union|Christian Democrats]] formed a "grand coalition" with the center-left Social Democrats, headed by Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 2009 Merkel and her CDU formed a coalition with the liberal [[Free Democratic Party|Free Democrats]]. Left in the cold was the [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]], and the ex-Communists who remain strong under the name "[[The Left]]." Merkel moved forward on tax cuts, reform of the tax code, reduction of bureaucracy and an extension of the time that nuclear power plants can continue to operate.  

The September 2009 election was a major win for the right-of-center forces led by Chancellor Merkel, breaking a stalemate and opening the way for more conservative economic policies. Previously since an indecisive election in 2005 the center-right [[Christian Democratic Union|Christian Democrats]] formed a "grand coalition" with the center-left Social Democrats, headed by Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 2009 Merkel and her CDU formed a coalition with the liberal [[Free Democratic Party|Free Democrats]]. Left in the cold was the [[Alliance '90/The Greens|Greens]], and the ex-Communists who remain strong under the name "[[The Left]]." Merkel moved forward on tax cuts, reform of the tax code, reduction of bureaucracy and an extension of the time that nuclear power plants can continue to operate.  

The victory enhanced her reputation as Europe's top political power broker, as Merkel became the first leader of a major European country to win reelection since the [[Recession of 2008|global financial crisis]] struck last year. Voters generally approved of her response to the recession, even though it has hammered Germany's export-dependent economy and has resulted in a huge amount of public debt. She countered criticism by blaming the crisis on Wall Street, and engaging in a modest stimulus program.<ref>Craig Whitlock, "Germany's Merkel Reelected Easily, Will Form New Coalition," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092700631.html?nav=emailpage ''Washington Post'' Sept. 28, 2009]</ref>

The victory enhanced her reputation as Europe's top political power broker, as Merkel became the first leader of a major European country to win re-election since the [[Recession of 2008|global financial crisis]] struck the previous year. Voters generally approved of her response to the recession, even though it hammered Germany's export-dependent economy and resulted in a huge amount of public debt. She countered criticism by blaming the crisis on [[Wall Street]] and engaging in a modest stimulus program.<ref>Craig Whitlock, "Germany's Merkel Reelected Easily, Will Form New Coalition," [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092700631.html?nav=emailpage ''Washington Post'' Sept. 28, 2009]</ref>

===2013 election===

===2013 election===

2013 the CDU was the strongest party again, but its ally the [[Free Democratic Party|FDP]] lost the election and left the parliament.<ref>http://bigstory.ap.org/article/merkel-bidding-3rd-term-german-election</ref> So the CDU created a "grand coalition" with the SPD again.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/11/27/merkel-conservatives-center-left-rivals-reach-deal-to-form-new-german/</ref> The vice chancellor is Sigmar Gabriel, the chairman of the [[SPD]].<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/merkel-backs-plans-stem-energy-cost-rises</ref>

In the 2013 election, the CDU remained Germany's strongest party, but its ally the [[Free Democratic Party|FDP]] lost the election and left the parliament.<ref>http://bigstory.ap.org/article/merkel-bidding-3rd-term-german-election</ref> Thus, the CDU created a "grand coalition" with the SPD again.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/11/27/merkel-conservatives-center-left-rivals-reach-deal-to-form-new-german/</ref> The vice chancellor is Sigmar Gabriel, the chairman of the [[SPD]].<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/merkel-backs-plans-stem-energy-cost-rises</ref>

===2017 election===

===2017 election===

In a campaign described as 'boring' Merkel saw a challenge by the SPD's left-wing [[Martin Schulz]], the former president of the [[European Parliament]]. Merkel was seen by some commentators to have subtly tacked towards the right on some policies such as migration and [[Turkey]]'s accession to the EU – two issues she formerly was wholeheartedly in support of. In the election, the right-wing conservative [[Alternative for Germany]] entered the Bundestag after taking a historic third place with nearly 13% of the vote, while Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

In a campaign described as "boring", Merkel saw a challenge by the SPD's left-wing [[Martin Schulz]], the former president of the [[European Parliament]]. Merkel was seen by some commentators to have subtly tacked towards the right on some policies such as migration and [[Turkey]]'s accession to the EU – two issues she formerly was wholeheartedly in support of. In the election, the right-wing conservative [[Alternative for Germany]] entered the Bundestag after taking a historic third place with nearly 13% of the vote, while Merkel's CDU received its worst result since 1949.<ref>Multiple references:

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2017). [http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/25/merkel-scores-pyrrhic-victory-populists-beat-expectations/ Merkel’s Pyrrhic Victory: Worst Party Performance Since 1949 As Populist AfD Beat Expectations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

*Dettmer, Jamie (September 25, 2017). [https://www.voanews.com/a/germany-elections-afd/4043104.html Germany Shaken by Far-right Political Earthquake]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved September 25, 2017.

==References==

==References==

 

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Merkel, Angela}}

[[Category:Globalists]]

[[Category:Globalists]]

[[Category:Liberals]]

[[Category:Liberals]]