| Angela Merkel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Chancellor of Germany | |
| In office October 29, 2006 – December 1, 2017 | |
| Vice-Chancellor |
|
| Preceded by | Johannes Rau |
| Succeeded by | Frank-Walter Steinmeier |
| Leader of the CDU | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – Octuber 1, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Edumend Stoiber |
| Succeeded by | Friedrich Merz |
| Member of the Bundestag for Vorpommern-Rügen | |
| Assumed office September 2, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Claudia Nolte |
| Minister of Family, Elderly People, Women and Youth | |
| In office September 2, 1990 – Octuber 10, 1994 | |
| Preceded by | Usurula von der Rayns |
| Succeeded by | Claudia Nolte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 July 1954 Hamburgo, Germany |
| Political party | CDU |
Angela Dorothea Merkel (July 17, 1954) is a German politician serving as the chancellor of Germany from 2006 to 2017. She served as the leader of the Opposition from 2003 to 2006 and as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2001 to 2017. A member of the CDU, Merkel is the first female chancellor of Germany. During her tenure as Chancellor, Merkel has been frequently referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union and the most powerful woman in the world.