The precondition is…the recognition that we, as the bigger partner, name the Chancellor.

I think it was a big mistake by the chancellor to take a position before he saw the (U.N.) inspectors' report. That isolated Germany.

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.

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.

Free access to the single market will be granted to a country which accepts the four fundamental freedoms of movement of people, goods, services, and capital.

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.