Time magazine has named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as its "Person of the Year 2015".
It hails her leadership for navigating debt and refugee crises that threatened to tear the European Union apart.
Editor Nancy Gibbs says Merkel wins the accolade for asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, and for standing firm against tyranny.
She says her expedience and steadfast moral leadership in a world where it's in short supply, is also recognised.
Time describes her as de facto leader of the European Union.
Merkel is only the fourth woman since 1927 to be named an individual winner, and the first in 29 years.
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