This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been at the helm of the country since 2005, but her recent health issues have sparked concerns about her ability to continue in the role. In a ceremony with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 18, Merkel was first seen shaking, which she initially attributed to dehydration.
However, on June 27, Merkel was seen shaking again during an event with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and on Wednesday, she was seen shaking once more during an appearance in Berlin alongside Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne.
When questioned about her health, Merkel reassured the public, saying, “I am working through some things since the military honors with President Zelensky which do not seem to be over yet, but there is progress and I have to live with it for a while. But I am very well and one does not have to worry.”
A spokesman for the German government confirmed that discussions with Rinne were proceeding as planned, despite Merkel's latest health incident.
As Merkel approaches the end of her tenure, her health concerns have raised questions about her potential successor, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who is widely seen as Merkel's protege and is likely to lead the Christian Democratic Union party into the 2021 federal elections.
