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GERMANY-POLITICS-MERKEL-HEALTH
Merkel sits through anthems after shaking spells
BERLIN, July 11, 2019 (BSS//AFP) – Angela Merkel remained seated during
national anthems at an official ceremony on Thursday, as the German
chancellor apparently sought to prevent a repeat of uncontrollable shaking
with a rare change of protocol.
With questions swirling about Merkel’s health after she suffered three
episodes of shaking in public in less than a month, the veteran leader opted
to play safe.
After greeting Denmark’s new Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at the
portico of the chancellery, a smiling Merkel walked her over to a podium
where both leaders took their seats.
The unusual move came a day after a similar ceremony when the German
chancellor was seen shaking involuntarily for the third time.
On Wednesday, Merkel began trembling as national anthems were being played
at the reception of Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne.
Just over an hour later, she attended a press conference as planned and
told journalists that her health was no cause for concern.
She explained that she was simply still in a phase of “processing” a
previous shaking spell, but that “there has been progress”.
“I will have to live with it for a while,” added Merkel, who turns 65 next
week.
“Just like how it has come, one day it will go away too,” she said.
– More transparency? –
The shaking on Wednesday 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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she was welcoming
with military honours.
That 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 a G20 summit in Japan.
Officials have sought to play down the repeated shaking, insisting that
Merkel is well while refusing to address detailed questions about her medical
condition.
But several media outlets said Merkel would need to provide more
transparency if she wanted the speculation to go away.
The daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung said Merkel’s explanation belies “her fear
that the public could doubt her strength and ability, especially if she
admitted that she has allowed herself to be examined. Meaning: she herself
has doubts”.
It said she should state clearly whether she has undergone medical tests to
get to the bottom of the mysterious trembling spells.
“It’s about sending a signal that she is taking her own health seriously.”
Merkel has been leader of Europe’s biggest economy for almost 14 years.
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/ARS/1823 hrs