BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reclaimed her status as the world’s most powerful woman, with Forbes magazine hailing her as the European Union’s “undisputed’ leader.”
According to the list released Wednesday, Merkel has bumped United States First Lady Michelle Obama from the top spot, reclaiming a position she held from 2006 to 2009.
Forbes praised the chancellor as “the head of the one real global economy in Europe” who is seeking to “stabilize EU debt and keep the 17-member euro zone unified.”
Merkel was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington in June.
Despite the string of international accolades, Merkel faces a drop in popularity among voters and her party in Germany.
Obama was No. 8, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton No. 2.