In all of my encounters with voters, I have repeatedly been confronted with two points of critique. First: You politicians are all the same! Second: You politicians may be speaking German, but we still don't understand you!

I believe the people should have the opportunity to have a greater influence on politics with their ideas. We need a new impulse for renewal.

I have friends in politics who really put the friendship to the test through their behavior.

If we no longer judge the content of people's actions, but merely their form, then we are entering dangerous times indeed.

For me, respect is an extremely important political term. Since I began campaigning, it has been at the heart of each of my speeches. Many people have the feeling that politicians aren't paying a sufficient amount of attention to them. And then, when the refugees arrived on top of all problems, there was a feeling: You do everything for them, but nothing for us. This mixture of frustration and fear has led to this reaction. That is why it is so important to show these people: We respect you.

Having a place to live is a fundamental right and the state must establish a framework that ensures that apartments are affordable.

The dream of Europe is a region of freedom and peace, of security, law, democracy, tolerance and mutual respect. If you look into the faces of the refugees you will see this dream. These are people who are fleeing from war, hate, violence and unjust systems.