I suggested that countries with tighter finances think about such a [fuel] tax. We don't have the time at the moment for months of discussion.

In the EU, we agree that the pressures causing migration must be reduced.

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

It is clear to us that we will have to become more involved in our neighboring regions so that the migration pressures aren't so high there. Of course the budget negotiations will be difficult, as they always are.

I think we will have to spend more on defense, for infrastructure, for extension of the broadband network and also for domestic security.

The German export successes are not the result of some sort of currency manipulation, but of the increased competitiveness of companies. The American growth model, on the other hand, is in a deep crisis.

I can't think of many other laws we might need. For now, though, we'll be talking to German Muslims over issues of coexistence.