‘No need to worry’: German Chancellor Angela Merkel shrugs off third shaking spell in a month

Merkel began trembling involuntarily as national anthems were played at a reception for Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne

The recent bouts have sparked fears for the health of the German leader, who once said she has a ‘camel-like’ ability to store energy for sleepless all-night summits

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks past German soldiers of the guard of honour before the arrival of Finnish PM Antti Rinne. Photo: dpa

Published: 10:36pm, 10 Jul 2019Updated: 12:08am, 11 Jul 2019

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday said she was “very well”, despite suffering a third trembling spell in less than a month that revived questions about her health.

Merkel began shaking involuntarily as national anthems were being played at a reception for Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne.

But she attended a news conference as planned just around an hour later, telling journalists that her health was no cause for concern.

Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: Agence France-Presse

“I feel very well, there is no need to worry,” she said, adding that she was simply still in a phase of “processing” a previous shaking spell, but that “there has been progress”.

“I must now keep going with that,” added Merkel, who turns 65 next week.

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