I grew up middle class. My father was a public functionary who didn't leave an inheritance, just debts.

I believe in a real democratic system, with a state of law and freedom of the press. I believe in a free, open-market economy integrated with the world. And I believe in equality of opportunity. Those are my basic beliefs. On top of that, of course, I believe in some moral values.

Life is tough - and you have to be tougher than life to change the world.

I would say that the U.S. has overlooked Latin America. Their priorities have always been somewhere else. And that is a problem and that is a mistake.

You will never solve the American problems just by printing money.

I'm a person with a lot of affection for adventure - I scuba dive, skydive, fly helicopters.

I deeply believe that marriage is by nature between a man and a woman, but that conviction does not prevent me from recognising that other forms of affective relationships exist.