[https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/23/europe/never-underestimate-merkel-intl-cmd/index.html](https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/23/europe/never-underestimate-merkel-intl-cmd/index.html) >"It's difficult to imagine today, as Germany's widely-respected Chancellor prepares to step down after more than 15 years in the top job, but in the early stages of her career Merkel was regularly belittled and looked down on -- even by those who were supposedly on her side."