Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel, arguably the most powerful woman in Europe, is Chancellor of Germany. She holds the cards on how the IMF will go to forgive Greek debt. The German banking association said a fresh "haircut" or forced reduction in the value of Greek sovereign debt must only happen as a last resort. Meanwhile, Merkel's greatest challenge might be the new president of France, Francoise Hollande. The big-spending socialist has raised taxes dramatically and faces slow growth and high unemployment.
