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.

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

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.

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

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.

Germany cannot go over Poland's head,