Angela Merkel Quotes

The question is not whether we are able to change but whether we are changing fats enough. ~ Angela Merkel

I am thankful for all the hard times I've been through and all the tears I've cried because that has put me as closer to God and made me the strong woman I am today! ~ Angela Merkel

Solidarity and competitiveness are the two sides of a European coin. ~ Angela Merkel

I am not here for women only, but also for women. ~ Angela Merkel

I come from a country in which I experienced economic collapse. ~ Angela Merkel

We've stated very clearly that no negotiating chapters between the European Union and Turkey will be concluded before the Ankara Protocol is complied with: that's to say before Turkey grants all E.U. member states, including Cyprus, access to its ports. ~ Angela Merkel

Look forward to the future and look forward to the unknown. Nothing stays the same and people change. One day that hurt and pain will be a distant memory. ~ Angela Merkel

Climate change knows no borders. It will not stop before the Pacific islands and the whole of the international community here has to shoulder a responsibility to bring about a sustainable development. ~ Angela Merkel

What do you do when other countries' intelligence agencies give you information and you aren't entirely certain about its source? Simply ignore it? That's impossible. We have a duty to guarantee the safety of our citizens. ~ Angela Merkel

I believe that we do not share as many values with Russia yet as we do with the United States. On the other hand, we have a strong interest in Russia developing in a reasonable direction. ~ Angela Merkel

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. ~ Angela Merkel

Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are. ~ Angela Merkel

Information obtained under dubious circumstances cannot play a role in legal proceedings in a constitutional state. But everything that's available must be taken into account in threat prevention. ~ Angela Merkel

If a market exists for low-paid work, then we should think about how we can make this type of work more attractive by providing government assistance. Of course, the wage-earner must be able to live off of his wages. We will not allow poverty wages or dumping wages. But the wage earner can receive a combined wage that includes both his actual wages and a government subsidy. ~ Angela Merkel

We will be very persistent when it comes to enforcing freedom, justice, and self-determination on the European continent. ~ Angela Merkel

The one person who didn't seem enthusiastic about giving a speech in Berlin was Obama. When Favreau and I talked to him about it, he didn't offer much beyond suggesting we use Berlin's story to talk about what we were proposing in our own foreign policy. Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected a request from the campaign for the speech to take place at the Brandenburg Gate, where Reagan had called on Gorbachev to tear down the wall, saying that the venue should be reserved for an actual president. When he learned about this, Obama was embarrassed and annoyed. "I never said I wanted to give a speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate," he snapped. It spoke to a larger dynamic in the campaign: While Obama was often blamed for the cult of personality growing up around him - arty posters, celebrity anthems, and lavish settings for his events - he was rarely responsible for it, and worried that we were raising expectations too high in a world that has a way of resisting change.

"Before he left for Afghanistan, he read a draft of the speech and told us he was satisfied with it - "You could put this speech on the teleprompter and I'd be fine," he said - but I was hoping for more than that. I was hoping for edits that would elevate the speech and make it more than a summation of our worldview. The shift to a foreign audience hadn't been hard, as Obama's message about working across races "and religions, his preference for diplomacy over war, his embrace of the science of climate c ~ Ben Rhodes

I am courageous at the decisive moment. But I need a good deal of start-up time, and I try to take as much as possible into consideration beforehand. ~ Angela Merkel

I never underestimated myself. And I never saw anything wrong with ambition. ~ Angela Merkel

You find nothing like that among humans. Yes, human groups may have distinct social systems, but these are not genetically determined, and they seldom endure for more than a few centuries. Think of twentieth-century Germans, for example. In less than a hundred years the Germans organised themselves into six very different systems: the Hohenzollern Empire, the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the German Democratic Republic (aka communist East Germany), the Federal Republic of Germany (aka West Germany), and finally democratic reunited Germany. Of course the Germans kept their language and their love of beer and bratwurst. But is there some unique German essence that distinguishes them from all other nations, and that has remained unchanged from Wilhelm II to Angela Merkel? And if you do come up with something, was it also there 1,000 years ago, or 5,000 years ago?
The (unratified) Preamble of the European Constitution begins by stating that it draws inspiration 'from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, from which "have developed the universal values of the inviolable and inalienable rights of the human person, democracy, equality, freedom and the rule of law'.3 This may easily give one the impression that European civilisation is defined by the values of human rights, democracy, equality and freedom. Countless speeches and documents draw a direct line from ancient Athenian democracy to the present-day EU, celebrating 2,500 years of European freedo ~ Yuval Noah Harari

To exclude groups of people because of their faith, this isn't worthy of the free state in which we live. It isn't compatible with our essential values. And its humanly reprehensible, xenophobia, racism, extremism have no place here. We are fighting to ensure that they don't have a place elsewhere either. ~ Angela Merkel

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 now what our priorities are. For Germany this means: Unemployment is one of one of our biggest problems. ~ Angela Merkel

I then spoke to chancellor (Angela) Merkel of Germany and we agreed that the United States and our European allies will work closely together in the weeks and months ahead. ~ Barack Obama

I don't believe you are simply born with the ambition of becoming chancellor. But if you want to make a difference, if you enjoy putting ideas into practice, then the post of chancellor has to be the one presenting the biggest opportunity of all. ~ Angela Merkel

The real problem is that the financial base for our social security system is shrinking because the number of normal jobs is falling. In other words, we have to address the challenge of how to make employment, in the classic sense, attractive once again. ~ Angela Merkel

Our relationship with the United States is not reduced to questions of fighting terrorism and the Iraq war. German-American relations were so good for so many years because they extended deeply into the normal lives of people. ~ Angela Merkel

In the German football team players from different clubs need to get on with each other both on and off the pitch. In the grand coalition Christian Democrats and Social Democrats sit in the same boat and need to pull in the same direction. ~ Angela Merkel

The goal of our actions is and will remain a sovereign and territorially intact Ukraine that can decide its own future. ~ Angela Merkel

Former president Wulff said Islam belongs to Germany. That is true. I also hold this opinion. ~ Angela Merkel

I've often made critical comments about settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and in east Jerusalem, and my position hasn't changed. At the same time, it's equally important to me that the two sides, both Israel and the Palestinians, work towards a durable peace settlement: that's to say a viable two-state solution. ~ Angela Merkel

I believe those that produce the least emissions in autos will also be those who have the greatest success worldwide. ~ Angela Merkel

The European Army is our long-term goal. But first we have to strengthen the European Defence Union. ~ Angela Merkel

Don't get bitter and twisted and nasty by life. You may have been wronged or cheated on; two wrongs never make a right. Instead learn your mistakes and learn your lessons. Remain strong with your head held high. ~ Angela Merkel

If we look at where relations between the Soviet Union and Germany were in 1945 and where we stand now, then we have achieved so much. ~ Angela Merkel

In many regions, war and terror prevail. States disintegrate. For many years, we have read about this. We have heard about it. We have seen it on TV. But we had not yet sufficiently understood that what happens in Aleppo and Mosul can affect Essen or Stuttgart. We have to face that now. ~ Angela Merkel

We need trust among allies and partners. Such trust now has to be built anew. ~ Angela Merkel

The stubborn stance of some European governments on the refugee question is a reprisal less aimed at Angela Merkel or (Vice Chancellor) Sigmar Gabriel than at certain people on Wilhelmstrasse in Berlin. ~ Martin Schulz

We have shared responsibility for global climate; we have to reduce climate change below 2 degrees Celsius. ~ Angela Merkel

We believe that from both a German and a Polish perspective, it is desirable for Great Britain to remain in the European Union. ~ Angela Merkel

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. ~ Angela Merkel

The role of the opposition leader differs from that of the chancellor. If this government is to be successful, I have to take the emotional state of all partners into account. Besides, the Social Democrats didn't exactly present me with the motto "Let us dare to have more freedom" on a silver platter. ~ Angela Merkel

Multiculturalism leads to parallel societies and therefore remains a 'life lie.' ~ Angela Merkel

From this experience we have learned that in a big party it is important to have the necessary and often controversial discussions on policy issues such as the health system while in opposition. ~ Angela Merkel

The West was a wonderful world to me. I decided then that if this is the way they did things, then I wanted to be part of it. ~ Angela Merkel

The only thing the East German system taught us was that we should never do it that way again. ~ Angela Merkel

An institution like Guantanamo in its present form cannot and must not exist in the long term. We must find different ways of dealing with prisoners. As far as I'm concerned there's no question about that. ~ Angela Merkel

More reforms will give more impetus to German industries to invest in India. German companies want to be treated on par with Indian companies, and creation of an equitable market is crucial for investments. ~ Angela Merkel

We Germans have a special responsibility to be alert, sensitive, and aware of what we did during the Nazi era and about lasting damage caused in other countries. I've got tremendous sympathy for that. ~ Angela Merkel

Climate change is accelerating. It threatens our well being, our security, and our economic development. It will lead to uncontrollable risks and dramatic damage if we do not take resolute countermeasures. ~ Angela Merkel

The substance of the constitution is preserved. That is a fact. ~ Angela Merkel

When it comes to human dignity, we cannot make compromises. ~ Angela Merkel

What we revealed is that this spying system is devoted not to terrorists, but is directed to innocent people around the world. None of this has anything to do with terrorism. Is Angela Merkel a terrorist? ~ Glenn Greenwald

Everyone wants a more simple tax system. But if this means that certain tax breaks have to be cut, people are no longer so enthusiastic. ~ Angela Merkel

Budget consolidation and economic growth are two sides of the same coin. ~ Angela Merkel

Controversial disputes are a part of democratic culture. ~ Angela Merkel

I would like to see Russia develop as democratically as possible. But when we judge Russia we must also consider where the country is coming from. Our concepts of democracy can't just be schematically transferred. However, I do admit that I'm concerned about some recent developments, such as the new laws against non-governmental organizations. ~ Angela Merkel

Hatred, racism, and extremism have no place in this country. ~ Angela Merkel

There is anything but an assurance of success, I have to be very clear about that. ~ Angela Merkel

My life changed completely in 1989 with the fall of the wall, ~ Angela Merkel

Russia has nothing: no successful politics or economy. ~ Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel tries to make a career as a Bush's Suppository. ~ Volker Pispers

Ladies, it is not your education, status or personality that has brought you here but the elegance of God which was still and still working upon you. ~ Angela Merkel

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

The personal question has to be cleared up relatively quickly and it has to be accepted by the SPD that Angela Merkel will be chancellor. ~ Edmund Stoiber

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. ~ Angela Merkel

If we remind ourselves of the fact that every fifth American today rightly points and perhaps also with a certain degree of pride to his German ancestry or her German ancestry, we can safely say that we, indeed, share common roots. ~ Angela Merkel

I feel sorry sometimes for these sportsmen and women who put in just as much effort as the footballers. For example, athletes train at least as hard as footballers but have to be happy if they can earn enough to finance a decent education. ~ Angela Merkel

I always wanted to know what I'd face next, even though that was maybe a bit detrimental to spontaneity. Structuring my life and avoiding chaos was more important. ~ Angela Merkel

My politics are wildly different from hers, but someone who has been good for women in politics, stamped her authority on European and world affairs, is Angela Merkel. ~ Nicola Sturgeon

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. ~ Angela Merkel

IT companies in Bangalore are a reliable engine of development for India. ~ Angela Merkel

The Russian contribution to peace in Ukraine is not sufficient. [German Chancellor commenting on 2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea] ~ Angela Merkel

As the head of the government, it is my responsibility to make the overriding political goals and relationships more clear. Part of the reason the public didn't understand some of the reforms enacted during the past legislative period was that there was far too much talk about the details, while the general picture often remained invisible. ~ Angela Merkel

The digital world creates situation where there are no secrets anymore. ~ Angela Merkel

I always used the free room that the G.D.R. allowed me ... There was no shadow over my childhood. ~ Angela Merkel

Just because times change and alot of people think that dating multiple people is the thing these days, it just isn't a solid foundation at all in matters of the heart. I still believe in marriages that have a physically powerful foundation. ~ Angela Merkel

It's not five minutes to midnight. It's five minutes after midnight. ~ Angela Merkel

The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values, the annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation of the principles of international law, and the events in eastern Ukraine are serious violations of these common values. ~ Angela Merkel

Herr Schroder has conducted two electoral campaigns, and he is doing it again now, by not telling people what is really necessary. He keeps avoiding the difficult and uncomfortable issues, those that imply changes and therefore provoke discussions. ~ Angela Merkel

Angela Merkel in Private is even more miserable than she looks in Public. ~ Nigel Farage

Whenever you have political conflict, such as the one that we have now between Russia and Ukraine, but also in many other conflicts around the world, it has always proved to be right to try again and again to solve such a conflict. ~ Angela Merkel

To be serious, if we were only interested in earning big money then a politician would have to go and work in industry. ~ Angela Merkel

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. ~ Angela Merkel

If the euro fails, Europe fails. ~ Angela Merkel

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. ~ Angela Merkel

It will not be possible to solve the current crisis with euro bonds. ~ Angela Merkel

Ordinary people regard a man of a certain force and flexibility of character as they do a lion; they look at him with a sort of wonder, perhaps they admire him; but they will on no account house with him. ~ Angela Merkel

We're saying this to both countries: We want a two-state solution. We want a Jewish state of Israel and alongside a 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. ~ Angela Merkel

If you wish to have free access to the single market, then you have to accept the fundamental rights as well as obligation that come from it. ~ Angela Merkel

Germany has become a country that many people abroad associate with hope. ~ Angela Merkel

I've learned that even the word 'jubilee' used in connection with the Reformation can give rise to discussions. ~ Angela Merkel

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

This (multicultural) approach has failed, utterly failed, ~ Angela Merkel

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. ~ Angela Merkel

I believe that we will move forward a little tomorrow but I have my doubts that we will achieve a result. ~ Angela Merkel

I have a relatively sunny spirit, and I always had the expectation that my path through life would be relatively sunny, no matter what happened. I have never allowed myself to be bitter. ~ Angela Merkel

We must never forget our responsibilities as politicians to our country and its citizens. We must always remain humble before our people. ~ Angela Merkel

The real miracle here, or stunning thing to me, is that Angela Merkel thought that she could talk on a cellphone and no one would be listening to her, allies or foes. ~ Joe Trippi

Germany's strength lies largely in the fact that the Federal Republic is a center of industry and that it's an export nation. ~ Angela Merkel

We think of cannabis as a drug, in accordance with international opinions. This means that even consuming small amounts can lead to very severe dependence. With alcohol or cigarettes however, sensibly limited consumption does not bear the risk of immediate addictiveness as this is the case with cannabis according to our opinion. With alcohol there surely is an element of a tradition. However, enjoyed in moderation, as supplement to a meal for example, alcohol is not something that causes immediate dependence. Still, there is a great need for prevention and information in this matter. ~ Angela Merkel

I am for our not having any discrimination in tax legislation. ~ Angela Merkel