Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are.

As chancellor, I am - as it should be - constantly under the microscope from both the public and the media. It is also important to me that my staff tells me openly how they see things. And an additional good indicator is the mood in my own electoral district. When I am there, which happens frequently, no one is particularly excited or impressed anymore to meet the chancellor. People there tell me immediately what is going well and what isn't.

The plurality of German campaign formats, including the televised debates, reflect that we in Germany don't directly vote for a person like in the United States or in France, but for parties. We have a different system.

I believe that we do not share as many values with Russia yet as we do with the United States. On the other hand, we have a strong interest in Russia developing in a reasonable direction.

We have shared those values, we continue to share those values and obviously, we will continue to cooperate with the new administration [of the U.S].

The willingness to learn new skills is very high.

We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity - that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here.