Merkel takes center stage in Europe's year of crises

Time magazine, Financial Times declare leader the most influential person of 2015 in the world

In a year of crises for Europe, from the Ukraine conflict to Greece's debt turmoil to the historic refugee influx, Germany's Angela Merkel emerged as the continent's de facto leader, drawing more praise and fire than ever.

Whether spearheading EU diplomacy with Moscow, bargaining with Athens over tough bailout terms or responding to the world's biggest refugee wave since World War II - Merkel was in the middle, again and again.