Time Person of the Year 2015: Merkel sees off Putin and IS leader

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, has been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year 2015. She is the fourth woman to win the award since its inception in 1927 – until 1999 it was known as the Man of the Year award.

"For asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, for standing firm against tyranny as well as expedience and for providing steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply, Angela Merkel is Time's Person of the Year," the magazine's editor, Nancy Gibbs, wrote in an article announcing the decision. In a profile of Merkel, clocking in at almost 10,000 words, Time dubbed her "Chancellor of the Free World".From helping avert a 'Grexit', to taking a leading diplomatic role mediating the conflict in Ukraine, to spearheading Europe's response to the refugee crisis, 2015 has been a landmark year for Merkel. This year also marked her tenth year as leader of Germany, during which time she has been credited with overseeing the rebuilding of the nation's economy and its return to power on the world stage.

So who were this year's candidates for the title?

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Angela Merkel

Known for her cautious leadership, 'Mama Merkel' surprised many observers when she opened Germany to hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria and other conflict-riven nations. Although her gesture has taken its toll on her approval ratings, her decisive approach cut through European dithering and turned Germany into a beacon of hope for thousands of displaced people.

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi

This year's headlines have been dominated by the activities of a group that few in the West had heard of until 2014. Islamic State emerged as a serious force in the power vacuum resulting from the Syrian civil war, and is now thought to control up to 5.3 million people in Iraq and Syria. Their leader, former al-Qaeda mastermind Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, is hailed by his followers as the caliph of the new Islamic empire.

Black Lives Matter activists

The Black Lives Matter movement arose from outrage over the disproportionate violence inflicted by police on the black community in the US. Although the movement has been criticised for a lack of clear leadership and unruly behaviour at a Bernie Sanders rally, the protesters' passion, energy and canny use of social media have inspired difficult conversations about American racism in the 21st century.

Caitlyn Jenner

The Olympian athlete formerly known as Bruce Jenner made headlines in June by announcing that she was a transgender woman, and would now be living as Caitlyn. The announcement made Jenner the most famous transgender person in the world, a mantle she has worn with dignity during the public discussions of gender identity that ensued.

Travis Kalanick

The astonishing rise of Uber has been one of the most important developments in the hire-driving industry in recent years, and it is CEO Travis Kalanick who has presided over the ride-sharing company during its rapid ascent. A co-founder of the controversial app, Kalanick is believed to be worth $6bn.

Vladimir Putin

In November, Russian president Putin turned his steely gaze to Syria, approving air strikes on anti-Assad rebels, which changed the direction of the war on Islamic State – mostly by making it more complicated. With the downing of a Russian jet by Turkey over a disputed airspace violation, Putin looks set to stay involved in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.

Hassan Rouhani

Despite being hemmed in by Iran's influential hard-line clerics, president Hassan Rouhani has made a concerted effort to negotiate with the West over the country's controversial nuclear ambitions, coming to an agreement in July. Reigniting diplomatic relations with the US and the UK which had lain dormant since the 1979 revolution, Rouhani has overseen major steps towards bringing Iran in from the cold.

Donald Trump

Despite his legions of detractors, including many of his fellow Republicans, real estate magnate and presidential candidate Trump's controversial stances shaped the Republican debate. Trump's no-holds-barred opinions to everything from bringing back waterboarding to banning Muslims from the US have repulsed his critics but invigorated large swathes of the party's grassroots supporters.