Merkel: ‘My vision is political union’

Report of an interview German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave to six European newspapers (Le Monde, Süddeutsche Zeitung, The Guardian, La Stampa, El Pais et Gazeta Wyborcza), January 2012. She spoke candidly as part of a unique collaboration between the newspapers to explore the EU's predicament.

EurActiv reports that in the interview she revealed her long-term vision for Europe, saying the eurozone debt crisis was forcing eurozone countries towards a federalist model. 'My vision is political union, because Europe has to follow its own path. We need to get closer step by step, in all policy areas'.

Separately, DW reported that Angela Merkel, who formally opened the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on the 25 January 2012, dared Europe in a speech to be 'more European'. She said that Europe lacked the political structures to make the common currency, the euro, work properly.

• Primary Source

The Guardian, 25.1.12: Angela Merkel discovers her inner European http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/25/angela-merkel-discovers-inner-european

The Guardian, 25.1.12: Angela Merkel casts doubt on saving Greece from financial meltdown http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/25/angela-merkel-greece-financial-meltdown

BBC News, 25.1.12: Merkel says 'big rethink needed' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16720460

Deutsche Welle, 26.1.12: In Davos, Merkel urges Europe to become 'more European' http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15690607,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 26.1.12: Merkel Refuses Role of Rescuer in Euro Crisis http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,811607,00.html

EUObserver, 26.1.12: Merkel: Transfer more powers to EU, not more money to bail-out fund http://euobserver.com/19/115022

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