Europe is a democracy and differences of opinion are part of it.

My friendship with Martin [Schulz], by contrast, is completely different in that it goes far beyond politics.

I'm always quite amazed that people in Europe become unnerved when two institutions or two people have different views.

One can't allow blind loyalty to a friendship to lead one away from acting in the public interest. If Martin [Schulz] were to propose something that was totally absurd, our friendship would not prevent me from doing the opposite.

The position of EU commissioner for economic and monetary affairs could be combined with the office of Euro Group chairman. That job would be a great challenge for anyone who assumed it. On the one hand, he would have to make proposals. On the other hand, he would have to negotiate compromises with his European counterparts.

I like Macron a lot and I very much welcome him - particularly the fact that he made Europe one of the main topics of the election debate.

You can consider this carved in stone: I rule out becoming Herman Van Rompuy's successor.