Time magazine has named Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, as its 2015 Person of the Year. One of the main reasons for this recognition was her policy toward Syrian refugees.
Time writes that Merkel’s constructive role in the Syrian refugee crisis, the European financial troubles, and the Ukraine conflict are among the factors that make her worthy of the title Person of the Year 2015.
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.
In its statement, the weekly magazine refers to the European Union’s financial crisis and the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the “undeniable role” of the 61-year-old Merkel in preserving the life and unity of Europe.
Time adds:
“Europe’s cultural, geographic, and economic stability was repeatedly threatened in 2015, and Merkel was a key player in each crisis: the West’s confrontation with Russia’s annexation of part of Ukraine, Greece’s bankruptcy and the eurozone crisis, the refugee crisis, and finally the Paris terrorist attacks that led to rising distrust and insecurity.”
Time continues:
“Each time, Merkel stepped in. It would welcome refugees as casualties of radical Islamist savagery, not carriers of it.”
