Shaking Angela Merkel sparks health concerns for German chancellor
- German leader’s legs and body were visibly trembling as she stood with Ukraine’s president in hot weather outside the chancellery
German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared unsteady and was visibly shaking on Tuesday as she greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, raising concerns about her health.
When Merkel stood with Zelensky in 28-degree Celsius (82-degree Fahrenheit) heat while a military band played their national anthems outside the chancellery, the chancellor’s legs and body visibly shook and she pursed her lips as she tried to contain the situation.
But following the anthems, Merkel seemed better, walking quickly along the red carpet with Zelensky into the building, pausing to greet the military band and take a salute.
About an hour later following their meeting, Merkel told reporters at a joint news conference that had they had discussed bilateral issues and the Minsk peace process.
Merkel did not immediately say anything about the incident, instead focusing on their talks during what was Zelensky’s first visit to the German capital as president.
But she smiled broadly after a reporter asked whether her shaking was cause for concern, saying that she was fine.
“Since then I’ve drunk at least three glasses of water, which I apparently needed, and now I’m doing very well,” she said.
She laughed and gave Zelenskiy a smile when he assured reporters the chancellor had been secure at his side.
“She was totally safe,” he said.
The 64-year-old chancellor had shown such trembling on similar occasions before – at that time the reason given had also been that Merkel had not drunk enough water during hot weather.
In 2014, Merkel postponed a television interview at the last minute after reported weakness, but her spokesman said at the time she was able to carry it out later after eating and drinking something.
It is not publicly known whether Merkel, who has led Germany since 2005, has any health problems. German privacy laws are very strict about that type of information.
Additional reporting by dpa
