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GERMANY-POLITICS-MERKEL
Merkel suffers new shaking spell, third in a month
BERLIN, July 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel
suffered a new trembling spell on Wednesday, the third time in less than a
month, which has raised questions over her health.
Merkel began shaking involuntarily as national anthems were being played
at the reception of Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, an AFP photographer
witnessed.
The shaking was visible although less severe than during the first episode
in June. On that occasion she appeared unsteady and shook as she stood in the
midday sun next to visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she
was welcoming with military honours.
The first bout of shaking was blamed on dehydration, but a second episode
struck a week later at the end of June, just hours before she was due to
board a plane for the G20 summit in Japan.
Officials had sought then to play down fears over her health, with her
spokesman saying that she would not cancel any planned engagements.
Merkel, who turns 65 in a week, has always enjoyed relatively robust
health.
Frequently called the European Union’s most influential leader and the
most powerful woman in the world, Merkel has said she will leave politics at
the end of her term, in 2021.
BSS/AFP/RY/1648 hrs