Merkel's legacy at stake as Germany takes EU reins
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks during a joint press conference with the French President (unseen) after talks on June 29, 2020 at the German governmental guest house in Meseberg, outside Berlin. PHOTO | AFP
Merkel's last major role on the international stage comes as the 27-member club faces its deepest recession since World War II, triggered by a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 people globally.
The crisis has galvanised Europe's most powerful leader who, with just over a year left in her final term, has ditched her usual wait-and-see approach to call for "extraordinary measures" to weather the storm.
There will be no shortage of challenges to tackle in the months ahead.
Germany takes over the European Union's six-month presidency Wednesday, with outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel staking her legacy on a massive economic recovery plan to help the bloc cope with the coronavirus fallout.
Merkel's last major role on the international stage comes as the 27-member club faces its deepest recession since World War II, triggered by a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 people globally.
