After leading her country for 16 years, Angela Merkel will finally step down from Germany’s top authoritative position. She had decided earlier on in 2018 that she would not run for an elusive 5th term, leaving the door wide open for candidates and parties looking to pounce on the opportunity of a new government in effect.
Being at “the helm of Europe’s biggest economy” according to NPR news, Merkel was strong and steady, and avoided any major consequences or controversies that would have directed heat towards her. She managed to guide her country through the darkest times, including the 2008 global financial crisis. In a willing promise, Merkel promised that every single German’s monetary savings would be safe regardless of the international issues. It was here where Merkel’s career as chancellor really took off, and made the people of Germany trust her for the next decade plus.
One of Angela Merkel’s greatest accomplishments achieved during her time as chancellor was when she ended military conscription. Military conscription is when a country makes it mandatory for citizens (usually men) to join the military. Some countries still apply military conscription today, most notably Israel and South Korea. South Korea’s mandatory military service in fact can last for as long as 18 months.
Merkel also believed in clean, reusable energy sources, unlike nuclear and fossil fuels. Throughout her time, she put Germany on the right track to switch from these non-renewable energy sources into ones that would be less harmful to the planet. She also created Germany’s first-ever national minimum wage.
As Merkel bids adieu to serving her country, Germany is in for a load of change. The younger generation of Germany in particular is ready to be of more prominence, especially through the means of the new parliament. However, the legacy that Merkel will leave Germany is one of true positivity.
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Image Credits: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
