The recipient of the Nansen Refugee Award was praised for her determination to protect asylum seekers while in office.
In first interview since stepping down in December, Merkel stresses Russia trade ties, and importance of diplomacy.
The former German chancellor stepped in to lead ‘the West’ as the US started to shrink from the world stage.
Angela Merkel steps down as chancellor after 16 years leading Europe’s biggest economy.
Unvaccinated people to be excluded from large parts of public life, Germany could make jabs mandatory amid COVID surge.
![Merkel says the health situation in Germany is 'serious' [John Macdougall/pool/AFP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/000_9TU2NC.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Three parties agree to form a ‘traffic light’ coalition government following parliamentary elections in September.
![Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), far right, Olaf Scholz, SPD member and likely next German chancellor, third from left, Annalene Baerbock, left, and Robert Habeck, second from left, co-leaders of the Greens Party, arrive to present their mutually agreed upon coalition contract in Berlin [Michele Tantussi/Getty Images]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-1236769885.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Political leaders praise outgoing German chancellor as a ‘compromise machine’ and ‘compass’ of the European project.
![Since attending her first meeting of EU leaders in December 2005, at a time when Jacques Chirac was still French president and Tony Blair British prime minister, Merkel has embodied the drive for a more closely united Europe [Olivier Matthys/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AP21294741344029.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Once the sick man of Europe, Germany weathered the financial crisis and the Great Recession better than its neighbours.
Olaf Scholz, the Social Democrat candidate, claims mandate to form gov’t after conservatives register worst-ever result.
![Scholz, who was finance minister in outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel's 'grand coalition' administration, has said he hopes to form a coalition government before Christmas [Michael Sohn/AP Photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/AP21270365604644.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Tens of millions of Germans to cast ballots in what is seen as the first real contest in many years.
![People take part in a rally with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and candidate for chancellor Armin Laschet [File: Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-09-25T114230Z_2012696142_RC2YWP9SQPKN_RTRMADP_3_GERMANY-ELECTION-CDU-MERKEL-LASCHET.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Sunday’s election is turning out to be one of the tightest in recent history.
Germany’s vote on Sunday marks the end of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s 16 years in office.
![Germany is scheduled to hold federal parliamentary elections on Sunday with little idea who will win [File: Sean Gallup/Getty Images]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/gettyimages-1336117192-594x594-1.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
German government faces growing questions about how well-prepared authorities were for devastating natural disaster.
![Merkel said Germany had a 'very good warning system' but pledged a thorough review of 'what worked and what didn't work' in response to the floods [Christof Stache/Pool via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-07-20T141607Z_948118071_RC2DOO989UCD_RTRMADP_3_EUROPE-WEATHER-MERKEL-STATEMENTS.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
In Merkel’s final visit to White House as chancellor, the leaders pledge partnership, disagree on Nord Stream pipeline.
![President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a joint news conference in during what is likely Merkel's last visit to Washington as head of state. [Susan Walsh/The Associated Press]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AP21196835859897.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)