You can't always be demanding solidarity from others and then refuse to show it yourself.

If you say in advance there is going to be a main candidate and then that doesn't count later, then that's going to be a highly problematic occurrence in a democracy.

I have no illusions. Of course, Russia is massively upgrading its military. We know that Russia is pursuing a policy of expansion. This is of course a cause for concern among Eastern European countries.

I believe that the majority of people in Europe want to demonstrate solidarity with the refugees.

We are seeing now that without the contribution of the Social Democrats, Germany cannot be governed. We are a proud and self-confident party. We should now act based on that pride, and not out of fear.

It's not attractive at the moment to vouch for the European idea. I still do it, because I believe nothing would be better for our continent.

It is courageous to occasionally admit that there are certain things one can't do.