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.

It is a fact that, if I single out Germany, our rate of growth is too low and we have very high unemployment.

The real problem is that the financial base for our social security system is shrinking because the number of normal jobs is falling. In other words, we have to address the challenge of how to make employment, in the classic sense, attractive once again.

We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew.

Global climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century.

I feel like we are in a community of people who sign up for these values who try to maintain them and wherever they are not yet respected, to stand up for people's rights to enjoy them, as well. And this is worth every effort.

I never underestimated myself. And I never saw anything wrong with ambition.