The problem with us EU politicians is that we approach everything with cool rationality, and then wonder why we don't win people over emotionally.

There are surely people in London who would love to play us off against each other. That would be disastrous for the EU.

I am grateful to the Germans in general, particularly those who displayed unending dedication to the refugees and who continue to do so.

As a party of labor, the SPD must work together with the unions to ensure that people can make a living with their work. That is why I am not a proponent of the concept of unconditional basic income. I am, however, very much in favor of decent wage agreements, secure and lasting jobs, employee participation in decision-making and the examination of the social justification for claims and payments.

At the end of the day, men like Donald Trump need to be given that which they themselves dispense: clear messages. I would confront him as clearly and explicitly as possible. It is not only the right, but also the duty, of the leader of a German government to do that.

For many people, politics in Brussels and Strasbourg might as well be happening on another planet.

Turkey is doing an enormous amount in the refugee question, but it can't continue to pay for everything by itself. That is why we have to talk to Turkey about money.