You cannot form a community of countries of different strength without a certain amount of equilibrium. That is reflected in, for example, the EU budget and the bailout programs. That is why there are net payers and net recipients in Europe. A community cannot exist if the stronger do not take responsibility for the weaker.

If we want to make Europe stronger, then each country first has to ensure that it becomes stronger itself. This applies to Italy and France, and it applies to Germany as well. Subsequently, we in Europe need to discuss how we can improve the community. That is the correct order.

If you live beyond your means and have to restructure as a result, you pay a price.

I would caution against fueling cheap populism. First of all, every German who has spent a vacation in Greece knows that the standard of living there isn't higher than it is in Germany. Second, Greece is paying a high price for European assistance.

It has been clear for some time now that we have to do more for domestic and external security. I am prepared for that.

Our balanced budget has an important psychological function. It is a signal that we can't continue to constantly take on debt.

Politics means competition, especially in senior positions. If you don't know that, you're not especially suited to politics.