End of an era: Merkel bows out after 16 years

BERLIN » Angela Merkel was assured of a place in the history books as soon as she became Germany’s first female chancellor on Nov. 22, 2005.

Over the next 16 years, she was credited with raising Germany’s profile and influence, working to hold a fractious European Union together, managing a string of crises and being a role model for women.

Now that near-record tenure is ending with her leaving office at age 67 to praise from abroad and enduring popularity at home. Her successor, Olaf Scholz, is expected to take office today.

Merkel, a former scientist who grew up in communist East Germany, is bowing out.