Chancellor Angela #Merkel in an interview with "Corriere della Sera" expressed her perception on the recent European vote.
"I am happy that the turnout in #Germany has increased compared to the previous European elections, as in many countries. We have become the strongest party and this will have its weight in the division of offices within the European Union. It is right to acknowledge the achievements of the Greens, who speak out for the growing concerns of citizens about how to tackle climate change. These issues are also a challenge for my party: we need to give better answers and make it clear that we are ready to respect the commitments made.".
Nuclear energy
"It is right that young people raise their voices and point out to the older generations what is happening and what the repercussions could be on their future. We were only able to partially achieve the goals we set ourselves. But this year we have found it difficult to stick to the 2020 limits, and we are committed to 2030. I have no regrets about abandoning nuclear energy, I am convinced that it is not sustainable in the long term. We have also decided to gradually reduce energy production with coal-fired plants, until they cease in 2038. It is certainly a great challenge to give up both coal and nuclear power and we will have to find more suitable solutions, but we can do it. In Germany, renewable energies already represent a considerable percentage of the mix and we aim to increase it by 2030".
Trump's warning
"I have taken note of Trump's statement on German cars, we will stand up for our reasons. It is right that we have obtained the mandate from the European Union to start trade negotiations with the US government. Germany will take these negotiations very seriously. My reasoning is of course that German cars are not only built in Germany. Let's take BMW: the main factory is in South Carolina; it means that Germany has invested much more in America, thanks to its companies, than America has in Germany. It will be necessary to look closely at this issue, as jobs and training in America must be protected. Then the artifacts can be transported around the world. Furthermore, it should be noted that Germany is also open to American companies. We are ready to welcome everyone with open arms".
Holocaust and President Weizsacker
"I remember that it was on the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II that German Federal President Weizsacker delivered a speech on German liberation from the Holocaust. At the time I was living in the German Democratic Republic, Germany was divided, and consequently that speech left a deep mark on us. It seemed to me a very accurate and pertinent description of the situation and I still share it today. In Germany these issues need to be addressed in the context of our past: we will have to be more vigilant than other countries and yes, there is still a lot to do. We have always had a number of anti-Semites, unfortunately; To date, there is not a single synagogue or nursery school for Jewish children in Germany that can do without police surveillance. Unfortunately we have not been able to eradicate these evils. We must face the ghosts of the past: tell young people what the horrors of war have been for us and others, explain why we are in favor of democracy, why fight intolerance and not tolerate violations of human rights, and why article one of our laws - the inviolability of human dignity - is fundamental to us. We need to teach these things to every new generation. It has become more difficult, but for this very reason we need to renew our commitment".
Migrant situation
"I am convinced that we must learn to live in a certain balance with our neighbors, and the African continent is part of our neighborhood. For this it is necessary to help the African peoples in their countries, so that they are not pushed to emigrate. On the doorstep of our house is Syria; in Iraq the situation is still critical. We did not monitor as we should have, we did not understand that the citizens of those countries did not have work, education or the necessary care, and this forced them to entrust their lives to traffickers. In this humanitarian emergency, we have offered them our help ”. “But the situation - he adds - is not sustainable for long. We all, as states, have a duty to manage and guide immigration. Not in the sense of closing ourselves off to each other, but in helping us to face these humanitarian emergencies and in creating new opportunities in those countries. We have been working on this since 2015, when we signed an agreement with Turkey to provide aid to refugees on the spot, but we also tackled the fight against human traffickers.".
The controversy with the Greek minister Varoufakis
"Chancellor Merkel was catastrophic but we will miss her, anyone who comes later will be worse ".
Merkel: "This is obviously the opinion of Mr Varoufakis, with whom I have often been in open disagreement. I remain of the opinion that Greece will only become a prosperous country on condition that reforms are implemented: I have fought in this direction, but also to keep Greece in the eurozone. In Germany we have a saying, 'Many enemies, much honor', and this is reflected in Varoufakis' opinion of me. I have always fought to protect the integrity of the eurozone, but without compromising on our principles, making a bundle of every grass and renouncing reforms".