Germany and Angela Merkel are Europe’s hope to build a better future, through a green Corona recovery plan that delivers the Paris climate agreement. Merkel is taking over the EU presidency this week! So let’s welcome her with inspirational and heartfelt messages from across Europe calling on her to fight for the green future we all need. Avaaz will make sure the letters are delivered to her office.
Before you write - get to know Chancellor Merkel:
- She is the longest-serving head of government in the history of the European Union.
- She's in her last year in office, and wants to leave a powerful legacy. A green corona recovery could be the perfect way for her to sign off!
- Germany has been praised for having one the most successful responses to fighting the virus.
- She was once known as the “climate chancellor” for bringing the G8 together on the 2-degree target and the G7 on ending fossil fuels - this year she can seal that legacy with a green recovery across Europe.
- Merkel cares deeply about the future of Europe as a strong union - and hearing that citizens from across the continent stand behind her and a green recovery is important.
- This is the second time that Merkel has held the EU presidency. In 2007, she received praise for putting the reform of the EU back on track with her negotiations.
- Forbes has named her the most powerful woman on the planet nine times. She was also named the Time person of the year, with her cover photo terming her the "Chancellor of the Free World”.
- She never shies away from a challenge -- she once persuaded US President George W. Bush, a well-known climate skeptic, to accept climate science.