Angela Merkel is a German politician and the longest-serving chancellor of Germany since the nation’s founding in 1945. Merkel has served as the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since 2000 and the Chancellor of Germany since 2005. Over her time in office, she has earned a reputation for her ability to navigate her nation through some of the toughest global crises of the 21st century. Here is a look at how Merkel has navigated Germany through crises as chancellorship:

Early Successes in Indonesia and Afghanistan

In 2006 Merkel was involved in peace negotiations over the crisis in Indonesia’s Aceh region. She hosted Danish and Indonesian Foreign Ministers at the Meseberg castle, near Berlin, which led to the signing of the Helsinki peace agreement. Merkel has since been commended for her influence in resolving the crisis.

Her diplomatic sechel was also very successful in the area of Afghanistan. In 2011, she helped to open a direct line of communication between Kabul and Islamabad and 2013, she helped support the then-Afghan president Hamid Karzai in his bid to gain major concessions from the Taliban. Merkel’s support of an Afghan-led peace process ended up being one of the most successful initiatives in Afghanistan’s history.

Navigating the Euro Crisis

When Merkel first took office, the European Union was dealing with the impact of the global financial crisis in 2008. This crisis resulted in a number of member states needing financial help to sustain their economies. Merkel used the financial resources of Germany to help the weaker EU states struggling with debt. She managed to secure an agreement between the then-existing member states and the first bailout of Greece.

In 2012, the scope of the eurocrisis broadened, leading to the need for a stronger euro currency that would bind the members of the European Union. Merkel had a big role to play in negotiating the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), which established a stronger financial safety net for member states and acted as an economic stabilizer. Merkel also helped establish the so-called “troika” of lenders, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission, and the European Central Bank.

Political Turmoil

Merkel has also had to navigate a series of political crises both within Germany and across the European Union. In 2016, Merkel was heavily criticised by her own CDU party when she decided to open Germany’s borders to migrants. However, Merkel stood by her decision in the face of hostile public opinion and massive protests, stressing the humanitarian nature of her decision.

Migration continues to be a major issue in the political landscape of Europe today. Merkel has advocated for a more humane solution to the challenge while also pushing for Europe to take joint responsibility for the crisis.

The Refugee Crisis

The greatest challenge of Merkel’s chancellorship came during the height of the refugee crisis in 2015. The Syrian conflict had caused millions of refugees to flee their homes in search of safety. These refugees found their way to Europe, many travelling to Germany with the hope of being able to live freely. Merkel famously proclaimed “We can do it!” when referring to Germany’s response to the refugee crisis.

Merkel officially welcomed refugees into Germany, offering safe passage and asylum. She also helped negotiate a deal with other countries in the EU to share the burden of the influx of refugees. Merkel fought against nationalists who sought to halt the flow of refugees and defended the decision that Germany was a nation of compassion and open borders.

Merkel’s tenure as Germany’s Chancellor has certainly been one that has kept her nation at the center of some of the 21st century’s biggest open geopolitical questions. Merkel has been able to find solutions to unprecedented challenges through her intelligence and determination, setting a precedent for future German leaders. Merkel has truly earned her place as one of the most influential politicians in the world and deserves credit for her role in helping to create a secure and united Europe.