“I know that many are naturally concerned about the arrival of the new year and the economic situation will indeed not be easier, but rather more difficult in the new year. But that shouldn't get us down." This was the warning launched by the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, in her end-of-year speech to Germany.
Merkel also recalled that in the Eurozone “the crisis is by no means over” and that “we still need a lot of patience. The reforms we have launched are starting to take effect", but we must continue to seek "the right balance between our prosperity and cohesion. We need a willingness to work hard and social security assistance for all, and the importance of this balance is reflected in Europe's debt crisis”.
The chancellor then underlined that the international community “has not yet learned enough from the 2008 financial crisis. We can no longer allow irresponsibility to prevail as it did then. People must be able to rely on the state to be the guardian of order in the market economy”.
The words spoken today by Merkel contrast sharply with the recent reassurances from the German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schaueble: "The worst is behind us," said the minister.
