Angela Merkel, 2005 News

politician, became Germany's first female chancellor in October. Her Christian Democratic Union narrowly defeated Gerhard Schröder's Social Democratic Party (SDP) in September elections. As part of a power-sharing deal with the SDP, Merkel assumed the post as chancellor and the SDP took control of eight of 14 ministries. Merkel is also the first person from East Germany to lead the country.