Chancellor Angela Merkel (65, CDU) has warned citizens against careless behavior in view of the continuing dangers posed by the corona virus.
“The threat from the virus remains serious,” she said in her weekly video message on Saturday. Merkel explicitly repeated her appeal from the beginning of the crisis in mid-March: “Take it seriously because it is serious.”
“We forget it easily because Germany has come through the crisis reasonably well so far, but that does not mean that we are protected, that the danger has been averted,” the Chancellor emphasized now. “The fact that this is not the case is shown by the rapidly expanding regional outbreaks.”
When it comes to curbing the spread of the virus, all citizens should continue to be asked alongside politics. “We all have to further understand it as our shared obligation that everyone has our fate in our hands by following the rules: minimum distance, mouth-nose protection in public spaces and washing hands.“
“That worries me”
In addition, for the first time since the beginning of the Corona crisis, Merkel spoke in detail in a newspaper interview.
In conversation with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” Merkel spoke about the upcoming EU Council Presidency, the relationship with the USA and the role of China, as well as about the ongoing Brexit negotiations.
Merkel sees China’s economic rise as a challenge for liberal democracies in the world.
“The example of China shows that even a non-democratic state can be economically successful, which is very challenging for free democracies,” she said.
The Chancellor said “I am worried” that the free system has so far not been able to prove its superiority, she added. The Chancellor also insisted on compliance with democratic principles and the rule of law in the EU.
“If Europe wants to be heard, it must set a good example,” said Merkel, referring to the rule of law debate in the EU. Every opposition must have a “fair chance” to “get back to the government”.
This included adequate speaking times in parliament, equal broadcasting times on public service broadcasting and an independent judiciary. Rule of law proceedings are currently underway in the EU against Poland and Hungary.
With regard to China, Merkel called for greater resilience in the EU. “We should develop a policy that reflects our interests and values,” she said. Compliance with human rights, the rule of law and concerns about Hong Kong “stand between China and us”.
US troops in Germany also serve US interests
Another issue that has made headlines in recent days is the withdrawal of US soldiers stationed in Germany.
“American troops in Germany serve to protect Germany and the European part of NATO as well as the interests of the United States of America,” said Merkel about the troop withdrawal announced by US President Donald Trump.
At the same time, Merkel affirmed that the federal government would have to further increase the defense budget. “In Germany, we know that we have to spend more on defense, and we’ve achieved significant increases in recent years and will continue to do so for our military capabilities.”
Europe must also play a larger role than in the Cold War. “We grew up knowing that the United States wanted to be a world power. If the US should now voluntarily say goodbye to the role, we would have to think very fundamentally, ”she said of the future transatlantic relationship.
Trump announced on Monday that it would withdraw approximately 9,500 soldiers from Germany and reduce the troop quota to 25,000. He accused the federal government of failing to meet its NATO obligations and of spending too little on defense.
Merkel urges the rule of law in the EU
In addition, Merkel urged democratic principles and more rule of law in the EU and campaigned for understanding for Europe-skeptical attitudes in Eastern European EU countries.
“The countries of the Eastern Bloc had only a few years to develop their own national identity. Processes that could be lived in the western countries for a long time were only made up later, ”said Merkel.
“On the one hand, many young EU accession countries share their enthusiasm for the European Union peace work, on the other hand they show skepticism towards Europe. We have to develop understanding for that. I see my task as working for a self-determined, liberal Europe that is shaped by the fundamental rights of the individual. ”
In her weekly video podcast, Merkel also made it clear which ones
three key challenges facing Europe:
▶ ︎ First, to achieve climate neutrality in order to slow down climate change.
▶ ︎ The second goal is digital sovereignty, because: “The last few days and weeks have shown many of us how useful digitization can be in everyday life, but also how dependent Europe is in this area,” says Merkel.
▶ ︎ And thirdly, to make Europe more capable of acting externally in order to defend European values and interests in the world.
Britain must also want regulated Brexit
In the SZ interview, Merkel also had a message for the Brexit British.
The Chancellor expressed doubts that the British government has a serious interest in reaching an agreement on a regulated Brexit.
“Of course it would be in the interest of Great Britain and all member states of the European Union to get a regular exit,” said Merkel.
“But that presupposes that both sides want it.” In the Chancellor’s opinion, the British were primarily interested in their own wishes, and not those of the remaining EU countries.
If Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government wanted to define its own relations with the EU, it would have to “live with the consequences,” said Merkel. That could also mean a “less closely interlinked economy”. If the UK did not want comparable standards on the environment, labor market or social standards, the relationship would be less intense.
Great Britain left the EU at the end of January. In a transition period until the end of the year, the country still belongs to the EU internal market and the customs union. If no contract on future relationships is successful by the end of the transition phase, a hard economic break with tariffs and other trade barriers could occur in early 2021. The UK blocked an extension of the negotiation period. Negotiations have stalled for months.
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