I've been told this reminds some of the East German days. But the difference is this one was genuine.

We can't continue to look on, when there are entire sectors where there are wages that don't provide a secure livelihood.

We want to use these four years to make Germany stronger for the future.

I discovered when things were changing that one must always remain open to taking risks and chances in society.

I want my party to be a place where something is always going on, with one condition -- that what goes on must always be constructive and look forward, not destructive and directed against each other. We should draw a line under the turbulence of recent weeks and look forward.

This is not a love match but a very sober marriage of convenience.