Politics means competition, especially in senior positions. If you don’t know that, you’re not especially suited to politics. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
It is true that no member state can be required to make payments to others. But if countries want to offer voluntary assistance, as in the Greek case, this isn’t only allowed, but it’s also in Germany’s interest. We all benefit by ensuring the stability of the euro zone. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
As for the role of France and Germany: French politics is often more self-confident then German politics due to the catastrophe in the first half of the last century. If Berlin and Paris don’t agree, then it is difficult to make progress in Europe. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
There are several silver linings on the horizon. The current account deficits in Spain and Portugal are declining because they have become more competitive and they’re exporting more. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
We cannot allow the bankruptcy of a euro member state like Greece to turn into a second Lehman Brothers. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
If we were to have a presidential election in Europe it would be an event that would spark a huge interest in people from Lisbon to Helsinki, just like national elections. And it would create a completely different political setting in Europe. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
In the long term, Germany didn’t need a finance minister who was absent during important negotiations in the European Council. But the chancellor strongly encouraged me to stay. And everything did work out for the best in the end. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
I would caution against fueling cheap populism. First of all, every German who has spent a vacation in Greece knows that the standard of living there isn’t higher than it is in Germany. Second, Greece is paying a high price for European assistance. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote
The German export successes are not the result of some sort of currency manipulation, but of the increased competitiveness of companies. The American growth model, on the other hand, is in a deep crisis. Wolfgang Schauble Read Quote