The DW Interview with German Chancellor Angela Merkel | DW News

Angela Merkel is about to step down as German Chancellor. After 16 years, the country will soon have a new government, and a new political leader. Often dubbed the most powerful woman in the world, Angela Merkel’s tenure as chancellor was marked by a series of crises – from the financial crisis, to the climate crisis, to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2015, when a growing number of Syrian asylum-seekers were reaching Germany, Merkel declared, “Wir schaffen das“ (We can do this!) – a line which became legendary. In this DW Interview led by Max Hofmann, Chancellor Angela Merkel looks back at her time in power. Max Hofmann asks Merkel how she sees her political legacy, what achievements she is particularly proud of, and what her plans for the future look like. 00:00 Merkel’s farewell tour 01:17 Merkel as ’compromise machine’: Macron, Putin, Erdogan, Trump 04:22 Merkel’s plans after she leaves office 05:33 Work as pleasure 07:20 Climate change and Merkel’s climate policy 10:39 Merkel’s greatest challenges 1