By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/time-champions-german-chancellor-angela-merkel-as-its-person-of-the-year Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Time champions German Chancellor Angela Merkel as its Person of the Year World Dec 9, 2015 8:56 AM EST Time magazine named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its Person of the Year on Wednesday, calling her “Chancellor of the Free World” in an article that traced her success back to her upbringing in East Germany. Now, the leader of a unified Germany, Merkel has risen on the world stage, from enforcing austerity measures among members of the EU during the global financial crisis — “If the euro fails, Europe fails,” she said — to promising to take in 1 million refugees suffering from war. German politicians early in her career sometimes would underestimate her, because her calm demeanor belied her ambitiousness and resolve, the Time profile noted. Critics still contend she moves too cautiously, but she would say her methodical approach to problem-solving allows her to make course corrections. Merkel, 61, has given no indication whether she will seek a fourth term, but not tipping her hand is another of her personal and political traits. Others who made Time’s short list for 2015 included Islamic State militant leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Donald Trump, the Black Lives Matter movement and athlete-turned-reality-star Caitlyn Jenner. Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Time magazine named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its Person of the Year on Wednesday, calling her “Chancellor of the Free World” in an article that traced her success back to her upbringing in East Germany. Now, the leader of a unified Germany, Merkel has risen on the world stage, from enforcing austerity measures among members of the EU during the global financial crisis — “If the euro fails, Europe fails,” she said — to promising to take in 1 million refugees suffering from war. German politicians early in her career sometimes would underestimate her, because her calm demeanor belied her ambitiousness and resolve, the Time profile noted. Critics still contend she moves too cautiously, but she would say her methodical approach to problem-solving allows her to make course corrections. Merkel, 61, has given no indication whether she will seek a fourth term, but not tipping her hand is another of her personal and political traits. Others who made Time’s short list for 2015 included Islamic State militant leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Donald Trump, the Black Lives Matter movement and athlete-turned-reality-star Caitlyn Jenner. Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now