Angela Merkel has transformed German politics during 3 terms since being voted into office of Chancellor of Germany in 2005 succeeding male predecessors. Her achievements at home and abroad have seen her top Forbes’ most powerful women list eight times. She will go down in German and European history as a leader with a huge amount of staying power as someone with some historic achievements to her name especially if she manages to save the euro. Here are other reasons why the East German raised politician with a doctorate in physical chemistry is considered the most powerful woman on the planet.

Very soon after the Fukushima disaster, Merkel made the surprise announcement that she would shut eight of Germany’s 17 nuclear reactors and that the others would be phased out by 2022.

While other Europeans suffered financial crisis, Merkel has blossomed during it. Germany flourished in the crisis (helped also by being able to take advantage of other favorable conditions such as low interest on bonds and Germany’s strong position as an exporter).

She also dealt with wage issues to help alleviate social injustice.

Her future challenges will be to deal with underfunded public infrastructure, a flaccid education system and a lack of qualified workers. Germany may need immigrant/refugee workers but could culminate to have a disastrous effect on the economy and crime.

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