German Chancellor Angela Merkel described 2020 as the most difficult year of her leadership during what is likely to be her last New Year’s speech.
Merkel made the statement during an uncharacteristic speech, Reuters reports. Merkel is currently 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 year so heavy and never, despite all the worries and a certain skepticism, have we looked forward to the new with so much hope.” said Merkel.
Merkel has received praise throughout the pandemic, Reuters notes, 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 leave office in 2021.
“I can only imagine the pain that must be felt by those loved ones of mourning lost by the crown or who have to fight the repercussions of a disease when some desperate individuals dispute and deny the virus,” Merkel said.
Merkel enacted new stricter coronavirus restrictions in early December, citing the record number of cases seen in Germany. The new restrictions canceled face-to-face school, limited meetings to a maximum of 5 people inside, and closed most non-essential stores.
Germany was one of the first European nations to start a second blockade in the winter when coronavirus cases began to increase. France, Italy and the United Kingdom soon followed suit.
Reuters notes that while Merkel will not seek re-election, there is a chance she could remain in power until 2022 if the September elections in Germany extend beyond December.