Angela Merkel: A Leader of Stability, Civility and Service

 I will miss Angela Merkel. She has been Chancellor of Germany for 16 years, since 2005. Before that she was leader of the opposition from 2002-2005. During her tenure as chancellor, Merkel frequently was referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union.

Angela Merkel grew up in East Germany, daughter of a Lutheran Clergyman. She obtained a doctorate in Quantum chemistry in 1986 and worked as a research scientist. At the age of 51 she became Germany's first woman Chancellor. 

Merkel hands over power to Olaf Scholz who becomes chancellor on Wednesday, Dec. 8, part of a 3-party, coalition.

Angela is a strong, modest, calm woman; she is seen as a political giant. Leading through many challenges in Germany and throughout the world, she believes in the importance of ongoing communication, saying, "Look at the world from other people's perspective." She always kept lines of communication open maintaining some kind of dialog even with those with whom she disagreed. Angela Merkel has constantly talked about and lived out the need for world cooperation. She became an icon of stability, civility, and service.

Angela knew how to sustain stability. She calmed the nation and the European Union during the global financial crisis. At the time of the refugee crisis, she left the German borders open; about one million people came into Germany.  She said that failure to integrate them was not an option.

A scientist herself, she did not hesitate to recognize the magnitude of Climate Change and the COVID pandemic. Angela Merkel has garnered widespread esteem and is deeply respected in many countries. What a role model for global leaders and for all of us!