Top 100 Angela Merkel Quotes (2025 Update)
Page 2 of 3

51. “Our relationship with the United States is not reduced to questions of fighting terrorism and the Iraq war. German-American relations were so good for so many years because they extended deeply into the normal lives of people.”

— Angela Merkel

52. “It certainly is dangerous that there are only a few clubs left in Europe that can afford to pay millions. At the end of the day however, the spectators decide the rates of pay – by watching the games and consuming the goods and services advertised on sports TV programmes.”

— Angela Merkel

53. “If we remind ourselves of the fact that every fifth American today rightly points and perhaps also with a certain degree of pride to his German ancestry or her German ancestry, we can safely say that we, indeed, share common roots.”

— Angela Merkel

54. “And I think that a woman as chancellor can also serve as a good example,.”

— Angela Merkel

55. “Let me say this on a personal note. Without the United States of America, I would in all probably not be able to stand here before you today.”

— Angela Merkel

56. “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.”

— Angela Merkel

57. “In Europe it is particularly important that we build good relations to everyone who holds political responsibility because Europe can only be build together.”

— Angela Merkel

58. “The people in East Germany have lived through so many changes in the last 15 years like never before in the country, and they did this often with great enthusiasm. But in the West we also have a high degree of transformations.”

— Angela Merkel

59. “I don’t believe you are simply born with the ambition of becoming chancellor. But if you want to make a difference, if you enjoy putting ideas into practice, then the post of chancellor has to be the one presenting the biggest opportunity of all.”

— Angela Merkel

60. “Europe can only hold together and stand together, which is very important in times of migration challenges, terrorism challenges, if each country takes responsibility for itself.”

— Angela Merkel

61. “Today’s Russia is not to be compared with the Soviet Union of back then.”

— Angela Merkel

62. “We all want to be honest and draw lessons from the past, the WHO is the only international organization that has universal political legitimacy on global health issues. This is why it’s so important to render its structures more efficient.”

— Angela Merkel

63. “Above all it is important to point out that we can only maintain our prosperity in Europe if we belong to the most innovative regions in the world.”

— Angela Merkel

64. “NATO needs to adapt its strategy to meet new challenges.”

— Angela Merkel

65. “The markets want to force us to do certain things. That we won’t do. Politicians have to make sure that we’re unassailable, that we can make policy for the people.”

— Angela Merkel

66. “If you want to be constructive in politics, the less you look back, the better. If you do look back, then it can only be to learn for yourself through the events that have taken place.”

— Angela Merkel

67. “I believe that we do not share as many values with Russia yet as we do with the United States. On the other hand, we have a strong interest in Russia developing in a reasonable direction.”

— Angela Merkel

68. “First, we need good, stable relations with Russia. Second, we must make every effort to save energy and focus on using various sources to meet our energy needs. We must not allow ourselves to become dependent.”

— Angela Merkel

69. “As politicians we have to react to the fact that many people do not feel that they can relate to the EU.”

— Angela Merkel

70. “There is anything but an assurance of success, I have to be very clear about that.”

— Angela Merkel

71. “The US military has achieved a decisive blow against al-Qaeda with its commando action against Osama Bin Laden and his killing.”

— Angela Merkel

72. “I will not let anyone tell me we must spend more money. This crisis did not come about because we issued too little money but because we created economic growth with too much money and it was not sustainable growth.”

— Angela Merkel

73. “For a few years, more people have been leaving our country than entering it. Wherever it is possible, we must lower the entry hurdles for those who bring the country forward.”

— Angela Merkel

74. “I believe that we will move forward a little tomorrow but I have my doubts that we will achieve a result.”

— Angela Merkel

75. “I felt really sorry for Oliver Kahn. Up to that point he had made lots of saves for the German team. Of course he could have caught the ball but it just happened. It was bad luck. In that situation, you need to be very strong psychologically to carry on.”

— Angela Merkel

76. “It seems to me that the fact that I am a woman is a bigger issue than the fact that I’m from the East. For me it isn’t really important. I’ve only ever known myself as a woman.”

— Angela Merkel

77. “It is nonsense to say that Germans are unable to change.”

— Angela Merkel

78. “That is why everyone in politics, and we do it, must make sure that they do not depend on one single interest group. A good compromise is one where everybody makes a contribution.”

— Angela Merkel

79. “I want to see everyone contribute to the overall costs of the system, and with their entire earnings. I’m convinced that an objective discussion will reveal that the differences between the parties, which have been greatly exaggerated in some quarters, aren’t that significant after all.”

— Angela Merkel

80. “To be serious, if we were only interested in earning big money then a politician would have to go and work in industry.”

— Angela Merkel

81. “Eurobonds are absolutely wrong. In order to bring about common interest rates, you need similar competitiveness levels, similar budget situations. You don’t get them by collectivizing debts.”

— Angela Merkel

82. “I feel sorry sometimes for these sportsmen and women who put in just as much effort as the footballers. For example, athletes train at least as hard as footballers but have to be happy if they can earn enough to finance a decent education.”

— Angela Merkel

83. “The substance of the constitution is preserved. That is a fact.”

— Angela Merkel

84. “Partners like the United States and Germany must always discuss all issues, including these questions. I welcome the fact that a discussion over legitimate methods of questioning and interrogation is taking place in both Germany and the United States.”

— Angela Merkel

85. “We believe in the rights of every individual to seek his fortune, in respect for others and in tolerance. Let us reply to the terrorists by resolutely living our values and by redoubling those values across all of Europe – now more than ever.”

— Angela Merkel

86. “It will not be possible to solve the current crisis with euro bonds.”

— Angela Merkel

87. “We cannot allow employers in Germany to pay hourly wages of 50 cents and shift the remainder of the burden to the taxpayer. After all, we want to create jobs, not open a self-service shop for resourceful employers.”

— Angela Merkel

88. “We have freedom to demonstrate in Germany, but there is no place for incitement and insulting people who come to us from other countries.”

— Angela Merkel

89. “The question is: Would there be a market in Germany for certain types of employment if one were to allow the employed person to earn less than is necessary to maintain his standard of living?”

— Angela Merkel

90. “We can’t constantly explain to our voters that taxpayers have to be on the hook for certain risks, rather than those who make a lot of money taking those risks.”

— Angela Merkel

91. “For 10 years, I have fought passionately for climate protection.”

— Angela Merkel

92. “An institution like Guantanamo in its present form cannot and must not exist in the long term. We must find different ways of dealing with prisoners. As far as I’m concerned there’s no question about that.”

— Angela Merkel

93. “So Europe needs to be competitive and we also need to be competitive if we wish to remain an interesting economic partner for the United States. This has to be done on the basis of strength, of competitiveness.”

— Angela Merkel

94. “I am not an expert in this field but I do try to keep up to date with the Bundesliga. And I do follow World Cups and European Championships more closely.”

— Angela Merkel

95. “From this experience we have learned that in a big party it is important to have the necessary and often controversial discussions on policy issues such as the health system while in opposition.”

— Angela Merkel

96. “No bank should be allowed to become so big that it can blackmail governments.”

— Angela Merkel

97. “I want us to be able to preserve our level of prosperity. We must constantly remind ourselves that Germany has been eating into its capital. It is only through successful management that we can once again secure our foundation of prosperity and social security.”

— Angela Merkel

98. “Politicians have to be committed to people in equal measures.”

— Angela Merkel

99. “Information obtained under dubious circumstances cannot play a role in legal proceedings in a constitutional state. But everything that’s available must be taken into account in threat prevention.”

— Angela Merkel

100. “Personally, I think that for example the chemical directive in its present form does too much damage to the chemical industry – especially the medium sized businesses – and will hurt our worldwide competitiveness.”

— Angela Merkel