Why German Chancellor Angela Merkel will skip Davos
Xi Jinping is expected to be first Chinese leader to attend the annual World Economic Forum gathering from January 17
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not attend this year’s World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, which is expected to be dominated by debate on the Trump presidency, and rising public anger against global inequality and globalisation. Merkel has been a regular at the annual gathering of political leaders, CEOs and celebrities, travelling to the snowy Swiss Alps resort seven times since becoming chancellor in 2005. But her spokesman said she had decided not to attend for a second straight year. This year’s conference runs from January 17-20 under the banner, "Responsive and Responsible Leadership". Trump’s inauguration coincides with the final day of the conference. It is the first time Merkel has missed Davos two years in a row since taking office, and her absence may come as a disappointment to the organisers because her reputation as a steady, principled leader fits well with the theme of this year’s conference. "It’s true that a Davos trip was being considered, but w...
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