Merkel rules out future political office in EU or elsewhere Chancellor Angela Merkel rules out taking on any political office in Brussels or elsewhere after her planned departure as Germany's leader in 2021. The chancellor had sparked speculation that she may be eyeing a job in the European Union when she told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview on Wednesday that with many people feeling concerned about the continent, she feels "even more duty bound to join others in making sure that Europe has a future". IMAGES of a press conference held by Dutch Prime minister and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and SOUNDBITES of German Chancellor Angela Merkel