Germany’s Merkel Sits for Anthems After Shaking Episodes

BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the visiting Danish prime minister sat through their countries’ national anthems at a ceremony in Berlin on July 11, a day after Merkel shook as she stood at a similar event in the latest of three incidents that have raised concern about her health.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, sit on chairs as they listen to the national anthems prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on July 11, 2019. Markus Schreiber/AP Photo

BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the visiting Danish prime minister sat through their countries’ national anthems at a ceremony in Berlin on July 11, a day after Merkel shook as she stood at a similar event in the latest of three incidents that have raised concern about her health.

Merkel showed no signs of unsteadiness or other ill-health as she sat alongside new Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen outside the chancellery in Berlin, an unusual arrangement at a military honors ceremony that appeared aimed at forestalling the possibility of another high-profile episode.