AS a politician, Merkel has never been overbearing when it comes to her religious views, but it’s clear that her father’s position in the church had a deep influence on her — creating a powerful moral compass.

    Her childhood was also shaped by the Cold War. The fall of the Wall produced a maelstrom in German politics. Cafe conversations became street protests; movements became political parties; individuals tried to take control of their country for the first time. It was this world that Angela Merkel decided to enter, aged 35.

    Merkel, who has a doctorate in quantum chemistry, stood out from the rest in that political world.

    To the surprise of many, the East German woman joined the overwhelmingly male and patriarchal Christian Democrats. In late 1990 she became a member of the Bundestag for the CDU, the largest party in West Germany, and began her rise to the top.

    Germany’s Chancellor Helmut Kohl wanted someone female, quiet and a former East German for his first post-reunification cabinet. De Maiziere recommended Merkel. Beginning as minister for women, she moved slowly up the ranks, becoming minister of the environment.

    Merkel became chair of the CDU in 2000 and Germany’s first woman chancellor five years later.

    The defining moment of her eight years as leader so far came with the eurozone financial crisis. Greece revealed an enormous — and unmanageable — public debt. And it soon emerged that other countries were in similar dire straits. But as Europe waited to see if Germany would agree to bail out the struggling members of the eurozone or force them to sort out their own problems, Merkel was criticized for reacting too slowly.

    Caution and consensus, however, have always been hallmarks of the Merkel machine.

    Coming from her East German background she believes in social solidarity and working with trade unions; in a coalition-based political system, she is a mistress of consensus and, when it suits her, delay.

    Merkel has mattered much more to us and the full European story than perhaps we’ve realized.

    Is she going to remain as crucial in the future? Probably. Now she’ll have another chance to secure her legacy.

    Angela Merkel has won a third term as German chancellor, in an election that will influence the future of much of Europe — Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and many other countries. (SD-Agencies)