What Angela Merkel’s exit means for Germany — and Europe

The European Union is about to lose one of its last anti-populist voices.

Take a look at meetings of world leaders from the past 10 years and you’ll likely notice one person come up again and again. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is regarded as one of the most influential leaders of Europe, a figure whose authority spans 13 years and four terms. But she recently stepped down as leader of her party and won’t be running for reelection. By 2021, when Merkel’s current term ends, not only will Germany lose one of its longest-serving leaders — Europe will too.

Merkel’s announcement comes at a pivotal time when nationalism is on the rise in Europe and the continent is still reeling from the 2015 migrant crisis.

Watch the video above to find out more about Angela Merkel’s meteoric rise in European politics and what her exit means for Germany and Europe.

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