Angela Merkel

[[File:Angela Merkel IMG 4162 edit.jpg|thumb|165px|Angela Merkel in 2011]]
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'''Angela Merkel''' {{lived|1954|}} is the former Chancellor of [[Germany]]. Merkel obtained a doctorate in [[quantum]] [[chemistry]] in 1986<ref>''Untersuchung des Mechanismus von Zerfallsreaktionen mit einfachem Bindungsbruch und Berechnung ihrer Geschwindigkeitskonstanten auf der Grundlage quantenchemischer und statistischer Methoden'' by Angela Merkel (1986) Berlin, Akad. der Wiss., Diss. A</ref> and worked as a research chemist until about 1989<ref>[https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=24432527000 Merkel, Angela; Akademie der Wissenschaften der DDR, Central Institute of Physical Chemistry, Berlin, Germany] Scopus Preview</ref> when she entered politics.

With her in charge, the [[CDU]] has resisted the right-wing populist wave that has gripped so many other conservative parties. Hilariously, she has been widely criticized by members of the German and [[American]] [[right-wing]] and [[far-right]] (in a lovely example of "anything to the left of me is leftist") for her 2015 immigration policies<ref name="breitbart">[https://web.archive.org/web/20170831080359/http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/08/20/despite-terror-mass-sex-attacks-merkel-still-stands-decision-open-german-borders/ Some idiot at Breitbart comments on this.] This is an archive.org link, so you don't have to worry about giving them traffic.</ref> which state that Germany is an "open door" to refugees. She does not regret this choice.<ref name="open">[https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/angela-merkel-open-borders/ Angela Merkel says opening borders to refugees is the right thing to do]</ref> 

Unfortunately, while this has given refugees a safe place to live, it has also made Germany seemingly vulnerable to [[terrorism]] and [[Islamic fundamentalism]], which is seen as one of the causes of the increase in membership of the predominant far-right party ([[Alternative für Deutschland]]) that is heavily anti-immigration – even if it's against their best interests<ref name="cnn">[http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/14/europe/germany-far-right-lgbt-support/index.html The gay men turning to the far right in Germany]</ref> (ironically, right-wing terror attacks are more common in Germany than Islamist attacks,<ref name="Wikipedia list of terrorist attacks in Germany">[https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Terroranschlägen_in_Deutschland List of terrorist attacks in Germany]</ref> as in the United States). She is considered a fundamental source of European direction and unity, especially in the face of the [[Brexit]] process. 

She is an interesting sort in terms of her geopolitical positions, being probably the most vocal proponent for the [[European Union]]. Yet, despite that generally [[Globalization|globalist stance]], she has enacted domestic policies within Germany itself, such as support for a multi-ethnic Germany, assimilation, and increased national unity that could arguably classify her as a [[Nationalism|civic and cultural nationalist]].

Until recently, she was widely admired for her support of human rights. Unfortunately, 2020 has shown her to be [[Inverse stopped clock|a great disappointment here]], signing a major trade deal with [[China]] despite its already terrible human rights record<ref>[https://www.dw.com/en/eu-and-china-approve-major-investment-deal/a-56096589 EU and China approve major investment deal]</ref> hitting rock bottom under <strike>Winnie the Pooh</strike> [[Xi Jinping]].<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/13/china-in-darkest-period-for-human-rights-since-tiananmen-says-rights-group China in darkest period for human rights since Tiananmen, says rights group]</ref> Sorry, [[Uighur genocide|Uighurs]] and [[Hong Kong]] — Volkswagen sales are more important than you.

== See also ==
* [[Liberal conservatism]] - In Germany, "liberalism" is considered center or center-right.

==References==
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[[Category:Christians]]
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[[Category:Germany]]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:German politics]]
[[Category:Protestants]]

Categories: Christians, European politicians, Germany, Liberal conservatism, Liberals, Living people, German politics, Protestants