In political life, it is extremely difficult to remain loyal to a friendship when constellations of power or interests are in the way.

People who work hard for their money cannot be placed in a worse position that those who allow their money to work for them.

We need economic growth in Europe and we need to find a solution for the excessive interest rates that are making it difficult for many countries to get their own debt under control.

My mother's brother was killed while clearing mines in 1945. Those are things that mark your childhood and they help explain why we are so devoted to European unity.

We are living through an epochal shift. If we aren't careful, the elementary foundations of our pluralistic democracy will be threatened.

In political life, it is extremely difficult to remain loyal to a friendship when constellations of power or interests are in the way.

Now Europe are experiencing a wave of eroding solidarity, first of certain societies and then entire governments. At the same time, we have two giant new challenges to meet: the migration movement and terror. And then Great Britain is thinking about leaving the EU. That should suffice as a description.