Leader of the Christian Democratic Union
"Never in my political career has my gender played as big a role as it has in the last few months. In return, I have been much more open about my woman-ness than I am used too. And I'm not just talking about my make-up.” - Angela Merkel
*She proved herself to the members of the Christian Democratic Union, and in 2000 she beat out Wolfgang Schäuble (who was the latest CDU chair) in a contest for leadership, and she ended up becoming the first woman to ever lead the party. (A position normally won by West German Catholic men.)
*She moved on to become the leader of a coalition between the CDU and a sister party to the CDU, the Christian Social Union (CSU).
*In 2002, Merkel attempted to run for Chancellor of Germany, but lost to Gerhard Schröder, who was the current Chancellor at that time.
*She continued her leadership positions with the CDU/CSU coalition, and would eventually run for the position of Chancellor again in 2005.
*She proved herself to the members of the Christian Democratic Union, and in 2000 she beat out Wolfgang Schäuble (who was the latest CDU chair) in a contest for leadership, and she ended up becoming the first woman to ever lead the party. (A position normally won by West German Catholic men.)
*She moved on to become the leader of a coalition between the CDU and a sister party to the CDU, the Christian Social Union (CSU).
*In 2002, Merkel attempted to run for Chancellor of Germany, but lost to Gerhard Schröder, who was the current Chancellor at that time.
*She continued her leadership positions with the CDU/CSU coalition, and would eventually run for the position of Chancellor again in 2005.