For Martin Schulz, the chancellor candidate for the center-left Social Democrats, friendly wishes don't go far enough. He would like to see much more enthusiastic support for Emmanuel Macron than that shown by Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose comments so far have tended to be reserved. As she put it, she doesn't see a need to change her policies because of Macron.

The significant collapse of oil prices shows that it was previously way too high.

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.

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

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

We in Europe need to discuss how we can improve the community. That is the correct order.

Those who constantly qualify everything and have no opinions of their own are ultimately just as incapable of tolerance.