CNN News:默克尔宣布不再寻求连任 博尔索纳罗将赢得巴西大选
German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Monday that she would not try to get re-elected when her term expires in the year 2021. Not only the leader of Germany, she served as a powerful leader in European politics for the past 13 years. So her announcement could signal a significant change for the continent in the years ahead. Chancellor Merkel's political party, the Christian Democratic Union and some of it's allies did not do well in recent regional elections and the Chancellor also said Monday that she'd step down from her role as Chairman of that party.
Analysts say her plans indicate that her political power has decreased. One issue she's been criticized for was how she handled the refugee and migrant crisis that Europe faced in 2015. Many German's disagreed with their government's decision to allow more than 1 million migrants into the country that year.
Jumping over to South America where a conservative Congressman has been elected the President of Brazil. Jair Bolsonaro had a decisive victory over a liberal candidate and former Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad. Their campaigns for the presidency had been polarizing and at times violent. President elect Bolsonaro was even stabbed at one point during a campaign rally and while that kept him off the campaign trail for weeks, it also strengthened his support among many Brazilians.
Their country has struggled with corruption, rising crime rates and a prolonged recession and Bolsonaro promised he'd defend freedom and protect citizens who respect their nation's laws. One thing that concerned his opponents were his promises to allow development in some parts of the Amazon Rainforest. Some environmental groups called his election a profound set back.