Person of the Year: Merkel ahead of Putin and the leader of the Islamic State

Time magazine named German Chancellor Angela Merkel Person of the Year. Merkel beat out Russian President Vladimir Putin and Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, among others, for the honorary title.

The winner of the NBC television channel announced Time Editor Nancy Gibbs. According to her, Merkel in 2015 showed how she copes with the most serious challenges, including the debt crisis in Europe, the influx of refugees, and the terrorist attack in Paris, which threatens the security of the entire continent.

Gibbs also noted Merkel's "steadfast moral leadership" in a world where it is often lacking, as well as her resistance to tyranny. When Europe was threatened by a serious crisis, Merkel, according to the publication, never stood aside.

The cover of the latest issue of Time is decorated with a portrait of Merkel and the signature “Chancellor of the Free World.”

Since 1927, Time magazine has awarded the title “Person of the Year” to individuals who were able to have the greatest impact on the event of the outgoing year.

In addition, this year's shortlist included Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, American billionaire and presidential campaign participant Donald Trump, transsexual Caitlyn (Bruce) Jenner, Uber founder Travis Kalanick and, collectively, activists of the Black Lives Matter movement.