Commentary
The following information will be presented neutrally as opposed to specifying whether each point is a pro or a con, since this can be debated.

• Merkel is popular- she is Germany's longest-serving postwar leader, and has been re-elected by the German people 3 times.
• She served as the Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2000-2018, and the chancellor from 2005-2021.
• In 2014 she became the longest-serving incumbent head of government in the European Union.
• Merkel is the first female chancellor of Germany.
• She is a centre-right politician.
• She made Germany more powerful - Merkel has been frequently referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union and the most powerful woman in the world.
• She was the TIME Person of the Year in 2015 for her
• She is considered honest - when approached by personnel of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) to become an informant, she refused.
• Merkel opened the doors of Germany to over 1 million asylum seekers and refugees during the height of the European migrant crisis.
• This lead to a rise in anti-immigration protests.
• Merkel played a crucial role in managing the global financial crisis of 2007–2008 and the European debt crisis.
• Germany is now the richest country in Europe.
• Her post-war efforts included avoiding conflict for over 16 years.
• Her party (CDU) has lost a considerable amount of votes in the election after she stepped down as the party leader and chancellor.