(CNN) -- Stepping on stage after leading her party to its biggest electoral triumph in decades, German Chancellor Angela Merkel almost seemed the antithesis of a modern-day politician. Bouquet in hand and beaming broadly as the adoring crowd chanted "Angie, Angie," the 59 year-old looked more flattered than full of herself. "This is a super result," she said. "I think we can all be proud." It wasn't the royal "we" Merkel was referring to -- a mistake former British Prime Minister and so-called "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher once cringingly made -- but rather some 41.5% of German voters. So much for those who say plainness precludes power.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel, heading into her third term, is the antithesis of a modern-day politician
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She is modest and unassuming, and fondly called Mutti -- or mother -- by the German public
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She is often compared the "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher, but her style is quiet different
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But it would be naive to assume Merkel wasn't as much of a political animal as her peers
But with a widening gap between rich and poor "@placeholder" has her work cut out to rebalance her country's economy and raise low wages.
But, again, expect @placeholder's first and favorite female leader to go about that quietly.