German Chancellor Angela Merkel called 2020 the most difficult year of her time in leadership during what is likely to be her last New Year’s speech.
Merkel made the statement during an unusually emotional speech, reports Reuters. Merkel is serving her fourth and final term as chancellor.
“I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say: never in the last 15 years have we found the old year so heavy and never, despite all the concerns and some skepticism, we look forward to the new one with so much hope,” said Merkel.
Merkel was praised during the pandemic, notes Reuters, for her strong commitment to science and her success in fighting the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. In 2018, Merkel announced that she would not seek re-election at the end of her term and would step down in 2021.
“I can only imagine how bitter it must be for those bereaved loved ones lost to the crown or who are having to fight the repercussions of an illness when the virus is contested and denied by some desperate individuals,” said Merkel.
Merkel enacted new stricter restrictions on coronavirus in early December, citing the record number of cases seen in Germany. The new restrictions canceled face-to-face education, limited internal meetings to no more than 5 people and closed most non-essential stores.
Germany was one of the first European nations to initiate a second winter blockade, when coronavirus cases began to increase. France, Italy and the United Kingdom soon followed suit.
Reuters notes that although Merkel does not seek re-election, there is a chance that she will remain in power until 2022 if Germany’s September election dragged on beyond December.