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Angela Merkel favourite to win Nobel Peace Prize

Others in contention for the prize include Pope Francis, Denis Mukwege and a Congolese gynaecologist who works with rape victims.

German chancellor Angela Merkel is firming as favourite to win the Nobel Peace Prize this weekend.

Merkel has been named as a possible candidate for the prize, alongside Pope Francis.

Merkel has been praised for opening Germany’s borders to 800,000 Syrian refugees; and for devising a solution to the Greek economic crisis.

She has also been tougher on Russia’s President Putin than any other European leader.

Pope Francis has been praised for his commitment to building a friendship between the US and Cuba, having visited both countries this year.

Others in contention for the prize include Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynaecologist who works with rape victims.

The winner of last year’s prize was Malala Yousafzai, the 17-year-old Pakistani student shot by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education.

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