It's not the 1950s but rather a return to the 19th century,

Let's not be too sentimental or else we'll have to get out our handkerchiefs,

This is not just a German problem, ... It's a problem affecting all of Europe.

This is not about my prerogatives and absolutely not about me as a person, ... It is about my party's prerogative for political leadership and only the party leaders can decide on that. I will accept any decision. I do not want to stand in the way of a development that allows the continuation of the (economic) reforms I initiated and the formation of a stable government in Germany.

I stated my concerns, the concerns being that one must be very careful that any process does not trigger a renewed arms race,

That there is turbulence at times in the parties involved is painful and not good, ... One or two have now fled abroad, or nearly fled abroad... The important thing now is to look forward. I'm sure it'll all turn out fine.