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GERMAN CHANCELLOR AND EU overlord Angela Merkel is the most powerful woman in the world this year according to the business magazine Forbes.
The magazine has published its annual list of the world’s most powerful women with Merkel, 58, coming on top for the second year in a row.
“Merkel is the ‘Iron Lady’ of Europe and the lead player in the eurozone economic drama that continues to threaten global markets,” the magazine says noting that a recent public approval rating soared to nearly 70 per cent.
Coming second is the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who has solidified “her reputation as a no-nonsense diplomat”, the magazine says.
But Clinton is likely to relinquish the role early next year regardless of whether or not Barack Obama is re-elected.
Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff is third followed by Melinda Gates, wife of Microsoft founder Bill, and then Jill Abramson, the executive editor of the New York Times newspaper.
Americans dominate the top ten with Michelle Obama, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg also in the mix. In total 67 Americans make the top 100.
The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, also features in the top ten.
The magazine notes that almost all of the women who feature on the list are active on social media with a combined 90 million followers on Twitter.
No Irish women make the list.
Here’s a few more names that caught our eye on the top 100 which you can view in full here:
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Angela Merkel arrives at Passport Control at Athens airport.
“Nationality?” asks the immigration officer.
“German,” she replies.
“Occupation?”
“No, just here for a few days.”
I’d say my wife’s in the top ten!!
Amazed there’s no Irish women – aren’t they holding all their rich hubbies assets these days?
Some woman
Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF, is described as a humanitarian.
LOL
In fairness to her, she seems like the best politician in Europe by a country mile. She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and she doesn’t sell the people who elected her just to please the European dictators.
Really proud our head of state is the most powerful woman in the world.I wonder where is Kenny on the list and his eunuch hand holder Gilmore.
Emmm, good morning and welcome back from hibernation. For the last nine and a half months our head of state has been a man. I do understand that this may be hard to adjust to after twenty-one years of Girl Power, but I’m sure you’ll get used to it. The rest of us recently got the hang of it alright.
Okay crap. Just as I clicked Submit, I realised what you meant. :-( Now I feel stupid. Need more coffee…….
I see that you are using the term “EU overlord” to describe her again. Is the Journal an objective news organisation or not? This is not an opinion piece or even a Daily Edge story, so why the wild rhetoric?
Very true. It’s one thing to report and indulge people’s opinions, but quite another to actively promote opinions and cheap jibes. You can’t aberration at a tabloid like the Sun if you yourself are doing the same things.
No Irish woman on the list?wait until Katie Taylor sees the article,that will change :)
what about little. li Xeuang, weighs 56 kg and lifted 136 kg over her head to win gold in London. now that’s a powerful woman. imagine Paul o Cornell lifting two and a bit Paul o Cornell’s over his head.
An yang Sui chi powerful? What about the house arrest for the past 15 years that does not suggest power to me..
That was her choice. She was offerred exile but stayed to put pressure on the regime. With the just her inner strength she forced the regime to re- introduce democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi power stems from her character, personality and principles.
Angela Merkel’s power is based on the economic might of Germany.
Hello little pixie heads… its time to tighten ze belt, Yah. a nation holds its debt!
She still ain’t no match for the British Monarch. Who’s seen Popes, various Prime Ministers, Presidents, Dictators from around the world come and go. Having a magazine name you once or twice in a short time in the spotlight as a politician or bureaucrat doesn’t compare to 60+ years of servitude to one’s people. And a legacy any short term politician can only dream of.
Accident of birth.
De Mammy would put manners on her no bother. Old Teutonic (jack) Boot!
They say power is an aphrodisiac, might want to think that one over again.
she’s only powerful because she’s sitting in the hot seat,, where would enda rank in the mens category?
Enda will have a whole new category all to himself = feather light lightweight category with feck all punch power!
I would have thought that one of those Russian weightlifters would be the most powerful woman in the world
No Roisin Ingle?
Depends on your concept of power
Who would have thought?
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