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Germany: Chancellor Merz says 'We will manage' amid country's problems
🇬🇷 Greece /Elections & Politics

Germany: Chancellor Merz says 'We will manage' amid country's problems

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed determination to overcome national challenges, assuring that his government possesses the strength and unity to succeed.
  • Merz urged for an end to negative criticism and petty politics, calling for unity and self-belief, echoing a phrase from former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
  • He addressed upcoming negotiations on pension, healthcare, and income tax reforms, and warned against the "damaging nationalism" of the AfD party ahead of state elections.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is projecting an image of resolute optimism, vowing that his government can navigate the country's current difficulties. "We will manage, we can manage," he declared, aiming to counter a prevailing sense of pessimism.

We will manage, we can manage.

— Friedrich MerzThe German Chancellor's message of optimism and determination to overcome national challenges.

Speaking amidst internal coalition disagreements and debates about the economy, Merz asserted that the Berlin coalition "has the strength and the necessary unity" to overcome current challenges. His remarks come as the government prepares for crucial discussions on reforming the pension system, healthcare, and income tax. He also called on social partners to submit proposals to the Chancellery and urged an end to "negative criticism and petty politics."

The coalition in Berlin has the strength and the necessary unity.

— Friedrich MerzChancellor Merz's assertion about the government's capacity to handle current difficulties.

Merz invoked a familiar phrase, "Wir schaffen das" (We can do it), famously used by former Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2015 regarding the refugee crisis. He stressed the need for Germany to regain its self-confidence and present a "very different image" soon. He specifically assured that there would be no pension cuts, emphasizing that the statutory pension insurance remains the most important pillar of retirement provision. However, he noted that private and occupational pensions must play a stronger role, leading to a three-pillar system.

We will manage, we can manage, if we all stand united and if we believe in ourselves a little more.

— Friedrich MerzChancellor Merz's call for unity and self-belief, echoing a phrase from Angela Merkel.

Addressing members of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is leading in polls for upcoming state elections, Merz criticized the AfD's "damaging nationalism." He warned that the elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin are significant beyond their borders, questioning whether the political center of Germany still possesses the "strength, will, and means" to solve current problems.

The statutory pension insurance remains the most important pillar of retirement provision.

— Friedrich MerzChancellor Merz's assurance regarding pension reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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