Great Throughts Treasury

"A person who doesn't have the support of his own party can't put Germany on the right path."

"As politicians we have to react to the fact that many people do not feel that they can relate to the EU."

"A grand coalition would put us in a very difficult situation."

"At this time - we're in a dramatic crisis - euro bonds are precisely the wrong answer. They lead us into a debt union, not a stability union. Each country has to take its own steps to reduce its debt."

"Above all it is important to point out that we can only maintain our prosperity in Europe if we belong to the most innovative regions in the world."

"Eurobonds are absolutely wrong. In order to bring about common interest rates, you need similar competitiveness levels, similar budget situations. You don't get them by collectivizing debts."

"Germany does not have to put up with the fact that we have 5 million people out of work and that thousands of firms are bankrupt."

"I have just explained my idea of how a constructive period of reflection, one that would send a clear message to the citizens of Europe: You should know what our priorities are. For Germany this means: Unemployment is one of one of our biggest problems."

"I see nothing that points to a recession in Germany. But I see considerable long-term tasks ahead of us that have to do with markets regaining confidence in Europe and that have a lot to do with reducing debt."

"I think we have to think step by step, and above all send a signal to Iran that shows the international community won't accept it if Iran doesn't respect the commitments that are expected of it and the promises it has made."

"I think that the EU with the Lisbon agenda has put the right emphasis on growth and employment."

"I am very determined to make a grand coalition possible."

"I said, yet again, for Germany, Europe is not only indispensable, it is part and parcel of our identity. We've always said German unity, European unity and integration, that's two parts of one and the same coin. But we want, obviously, to boost our competitiveness."

"I will not let anyone tell me we must spend more money. This crisis did not come about because we issued too little money but because we created economic growth with too much money and it was not sustainable growth"

"I would like to give my country back what I myself have gained in terms of the opportunities from German reunification."

"In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be built together."

"It is a fact that, if I single out Germany, our rate of growth is too low and we have very high unemployment."

"Nobody in Europe will be abandoned. Nobody in Europe will be excluded. Europe only succeeds if we work together."

"On the one hand, the financial projection is on the agenda - we will see if this problem can be resolved or not. I think it is a right idea to stage a special summit, which would deal with the question of priorities of European politics."

"Personally, I think that for example the chemical directive in its present form does too much damage to the chemical industry - especially the medium sized businesses - and will hurt our worldwide competitiveness."

"Overcoming the Cold War required courage from the people of Central and Eastern Europe and what was then the German Democratic Republic, but it also required the steadfastness of Western partner over many decades when many had long lost hope of integration of the two Germanys and Europe."

"Let me say this on a personal note. Without the United States of America, I would in all probably not be able to stand here before you today."

"Our birth rate is now half that in 1965... When I am chancellor, family values will be enshrined in our taxation system. "

"Politicians have to be committed to people in equal measures."

"That is why everyone in politics, and we do it, must make sure that they do not depend on one single interest group. A good compromise is one where everybody makes a contribution."

"Strengthen the CDU - that is important, because we want to be able to put a strong signature on the next government."

"The euro is our common fate, and Europe is our common future."

"The markets want to force us to do certain things. That we won't do. Politicians have to make sure that we're unassailable, that we can make policy for the people."

"The people in East Germany have lived through so many changes in the last 15 years like never before in the country, and they did this often with great enthusiasm. But in the West we also have a high degree of transformations."

"The willingness to learn new skills is very high."

"The question is not whether we are able to change but whether we are changing fast enough."

"The problem is, of course, that these interest groups are all asking for changes, but their enthusiasm for change rapidly disappears when it affects the core of their own interests."

"This is not about ritual, it about a deep conviction that a strong relationship between Germany and France is both necessary and beneficial to Europe."

"This is the starting point for a journey together with a partner we have been locked in a deep struggle with for 40 years."

"This grand coalition would mean a standstill for Germany. I firmly believe that a grand coalition would not tackle anything that really would bring Germany ahead."

"This multicultural approach, saying that we simply live side by side and live happily with each other has failed. Utterly failed."

"Thus, the focus on this main political goal must become more visible in EU politics and to achieve this, we need a political impulse. It must be clear what the priorities on the agenda are."

"Today's Russia is not to be compared with the Soviet Union of back then."

"We can't constantly explain to our voters that taxpayers have to be on the hook for certain risks, rather than those who make a lot of money taking those risks"

"Today's vote underlined that as the strongest bloc in parliament, it is up to us to build a government. We are faced with a challenge that is difficult, but solvable. "

"We feel bound to the Christian image of humanity - that is what defines us. Those who do not accept this are in the wrong place here."

"We made clear that given the election result the Christian Democratic alliance (CDUCSU) is responsible for setting up the government."

"We have set our aim to create a coalition that stands for new policies... We want to work together for the people of this country."

"We must do everything to say: priority for jobs."

"We urgently need a political change in Germany. You will only get that change with the CDU/CSU and the FDP. "

"We're saying this to both countries: We want a two-state solution. We want a Jewish state of Israel and alongside an independent Palestinian state. Unilateral measures are not helping at all to bring about this cause, and we agree that we wish to cooperate very closely on this, because as we both say, time is of the essence."

"We will take care of every single person in our society. That is our task."

"You have achieved a number of great results for which I congratulate you. You confirmed in an emphatic way that Germany remains one of the biggest winter sport nations."

"Whoever decides to dedicate their life to politics knows that earning money isn't the top priority."