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PoliticsGermany

Farewell, Frau Merkel

12:30

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September 25, 2021

She's one of the world's most powerful women. But, after deciding to give up office, Angela Merkel will soon leave her leading position in German and international politics. Foreign correspondents look back on Merkel's 16 years as chancellor.

Eight correspondents from eight nations look back — including Pascal Thibaut of France, US journalist Patrick Donahue and Jun Nojima of Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, who considers Angela Merkel a guardian of Western democracy. Others warn against exaggerating Merkel's influence. What they all have in common is that they have followed the chancellor for years, even to the produce section of her local supermarket. The fact that, as one of the world's most powerful women, Merkel sometimes does the shopping herself, probably says a lot about her personality. A report by Robert Richter.

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DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.

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