Changes

==German chancellor==

==German chancellor==

===2005 election===

===2005 election===

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

===2009 election===

===2009 election===

 

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 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.  

===2013 election===

===2013 election===

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>https://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>https://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 2013 ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' reported that U.S. presidemt [[Barack Obama]] personally approved [[wiretap]]ping Merkel's cell phone conversations.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2017/03/17/flashback-barack-obama-wiretapped-german-chancellor-angela-merkel-in-2010/ <</ref>

In 2013 ''[[Der Spiegel]]'' reported that U.S. president [[Barack Obama]] personally approved [[wiretap]]ping Merkel's cell phone conversations.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2017/03/17/flashback-barack-obama-wiretapped-german-chancellor-angela-merkel-in-2010/ <</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). [https://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). [https://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.