In her latest New Year’s speech, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that 2020 has been by far the most challenging year in her 15-year term.
However, the start of the vaccinations against the coronavirus will make 2021 a year of hope, according to Merkel.
In a rare show of emotion, Merkel condemned the anti-lockdown movement in her country. Merkel said she would be vaccinated if the corona vaccine is widely available.
“Let me tell you a personal conclusion: parliamentary elections will take place in nine months, and I will not run again,” said Merkel, 66, who navigated Germany and the EU through the financial crisis, the Greek debt crisis and the refugee crisis, among other things.
“Today, therefore, is in all probability the last time I address you in a New Year’s speech.”
She continued: “I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say, never in the past 15 years have we found the previous year so hard and never, despite all the concerns and scepticism, have we looked forward to the next with so much hope.”
