Time Magazine has named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as its “Person of the Year” 2015.
Editor Nancy Gibbs wrote “For asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, for standing firm against tyranny as well as expedience and for providing steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply, Angela Merkel is ‘Time’s Person of the Year’.
“Each time Merkel stepped in. Germany would bail Greece out, on her strict terms. It would welcome refugees as casualties of radical Islamist savagery, not carriers of it.
“And it would deploy troops abroad in the fight against ISIS [Islamic State]. You can agree with her or not, but she is not taking the easy road. Leaders are tested only when people don’t want to follow.”
Other persons who were nominated include, Angela Merkel – German chancellor since the 2005 election, leader of the CDU, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – head of the Islamic State militant group, Donald Trump – business magnate seeking Republican nomination as US presidential candidate, Black Lives Matter – activist group campaigning against violence towards black people, notably in the US, Hassan Rouhani – president of Iran since 2013, Travis Kalanick – US entrepreneur, founder of the Uber transportation network firm and Caitlyn Jenner – born Bruce Jenner, became 1976 Olympic decathlon champion, officially changed name and gender in 2015.