July 17 is Angela Merkel's birthday. The former German Chancellor had a warm birthday with her closest people and especially did not attract public attention.
On her 70th birthday, Ms. Merkel received wishes from both members of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, as well as political opponents.
Ms Merkel became German Chancellor in 2005, steering Europe's largest economy for the next 16 years and becoming the first woman to hold the position in Germany.
"Former Chancellor Dr Merkel is celebrating her birthday privately," Merkel's spokesman told Germany's DPA news agency.
"Even during her active political career, the former prime minister generally did not answer questions about her private life," the spokesman added. "Her attitude towards such questions has not changed since she left office."
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was born on July 17, 1954. Photo: National Today
Several top German leaders have wished Merkel, a politician from the conservative CDU party, a happy birthday, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, her successor.
"Angela Merkel can look back on an impressive political career... She has worked tirelessly for her country. Happy birthday!", Mr. Scholz, from the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), wrote on the social networking platform X/Twitter early on July 17.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised her as "a model and hallmark of our democracy".
"What is special about this anniversary is that the 70 years of her life can be divided into exactly two halves," Mr Steinmeier said, explaining that these were the first 35 years of her life until the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the next 35 years of active work. Mr Steinmeier served as vice-chancellor and foreign minister under Ms Merkel.
Current CDU leader Friedrich Merz also sent his congratulations. "For about three decades, Merkel has shaped our country's politics and assumed responsibility in the CDU, in parliament and in the government," Merz wrote on Twitter on July 17.
In 2002, Ms Merkel defeated Mr Merz to become leader of the CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag (German lower house). The relationship between Mr Merz and Ms Merkel has been considered tense ever since.
In a post on X/Twitter, the CDU wrote about Ms. Merkel: "Her ability to stay calm in difficult situations and make careful decisions has made her one of the most important female politicians of our time."
Also on X/Twitter, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock from the left-wing Green Party posted a message of admiration, saying that Ms. Merkel was someone who supported European unity with humanity and perseverance, and "opened more doors for women of my generation".
In addition, Ms. Merkel also received a message from her old political rival, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who was defeated by Ms. Merkel in the 2005 federal election.
“Of all the political opponents, she was special. In the end, she won,” said Mr. Schröder.
Angela Merkel, whose real name is Angela Dorothea Kasner, was born in Hamburg on July 17, 1954. Her family moved to East Germany shortly after. She studied physics and chemistry at the University of Leipzig and has a doctorate in quantum chemistry.
Merkel's political career began as a deputy government spokeswoman in East Germany. After German reunification in 1990, she was elected to the German parliament as a member of the centre-right CDU party, later serving as minister for women and youth as well as minister for the environment.
Ms. Merkel led the CDU from 2000 to 2018 and served as German Chancellor for four consecutive terms, from 2005 to 2021.
Minh Duc (According to DW, Yahoo!News)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/sinh-nhat-dac-biet-cua-cuu-thu-tuong-duc-angela-merkel-204240717181831511.htm
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