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Popular leaders are threatening centrist politics in Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May chat with other leaders at the G7 summit, on May 26, 2017
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May chat with other leaders at the G7 summit, on May 26, 2017 Photo: Getty Images

British Prime Minister Theresa May, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are different in many ways.

May unexpectedly assumed her position last year after the Brexit vote, when her predecessor, David Cameron, resigned. Macron has even less experience: the presidency, which he just took over last month, is his first-ever elected position. Meanwhile, Merkel has served as chancellor since 2005 (and a parliamentarian since 1991), making her Europe’s longest-serving head of government.

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