Quotes by all 9 German Chancellors

Terror will not win, hatred will not prevail. Israel has every right to defend and to protect itself and its citizens. In this dark hour, Germany and France stand firmly by Israel's side.

We mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She was a role model and inspiration for millions, also here in Germany. Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten. She will be missed.

I am disgusted by the outrageous remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. For us Germans in particular, any relativization of the singularity of the Holocaust is intolerable and unacceptable.

Once upon a time, Russians and Ukranians fought together hand in hand to stop the murderous regime of national socialist Germany.

I do everything I can to prevent escalation that will lead us into World War III. There must not be a nuclear conflict.

With each day, with each bomb, Russia isolates itself more from the global community.

The Russian attack on Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. There is no justification for it. Germany condemns this reckless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms.

This is the needed step to stop the certification of the pipeline, which is necessary for Nord Stream 2 to be finished.

I don't know for how long the President is planning to stay in office, but it feels like he might still do so for a while.

Military aggression against Ukraine would have severe political and economical consequences. It's our duty to prevent that scenario in which everyone would suffer in the end.

Let us together do everything - really every thing - in order to defeat the virus in the coming year.

This pandemic is exhausting all of us. We're tired of it. But it doesn't help. We have to face it together and, in many cases, practice social distancing.

We will not allow a small group of extremists to force their will on the whole of our society.

I want to keep our country united. So I am the Chancellor of unvaxxed people aswell.

I said "yes".

The people want change. They want the candidate of the SPD to be the next German chancellor.

There will not be another lockdown.

Protecting the climate and nature is one of the biggest challenges of our time that we can only tackle together.

We couldn't do what we're doing today without a fair tax structure, based on the idea that the ones who earn more money have to pay more taxes.

You can't be wearing a mink coat and call for public aid.

Democracy isn't just there. We have to work for it together - every day.

I am convinced that no force and no ideology can surpress the urge of the people for freedom, equality and peace in the long run.

My objective is to govern in a reasonable way until the last day that I am in charge.

We've got the first stage of the pandemic behind us. But it has to be clear that it's still the beginning of this pandemic.

This pandemic is a democratic disaster.

Since the Reunion of Germany, or even since World War II, there has been no challenge to our country that demanded from us to work together as much as this one.

Our constitution includes this wonderful article 1: "Human dignity is inviolable." What we're experiencing every day: Aggression against Jews, aggression against immigrants, violence and hate speech - that's what we have to stand up against!

The question is not whether we are able to change but whether we are changing fast enough.

In the face of Russias war against Ukraine, it can't be stressed enough how fortunate we were to see the events of 1989/90 happen in the way they did.

I am convinced that we can design a great future, when we overcome distrust and resentments and go to work with joy in our hearts. That's what I always tried to do.

Watching 40 million people fall into chaos in Afghanistan because there's no electricity and no financial system - that can't be the strategy of the international community.

We all want normality back, but we don't get normality back by ourselves - we only get it as a community and that's why we need to get more people vaccinated. Every vaccination is a small step towards normality for everyone.

These pictures have made me angry and sad. But I am certain that the American democracy will prove stronger than the rioters.

There's no denying that the coming days and weeks will be tough for our country - and that the situation won't change for some time.

If we don't practice enough social distancing before Christmas and then realize, it has been the last Christmas with our grandparents, we will be full of regrets.

I sincerely wish him all the best and am happy to work together with President Biden.

This is money well spent. If we ignore climate change, it's gonna cost us a lot more.

If you don't like Munich, I don't know which part of Germany you could like.

Most of the things that we found out about ourselves are an essential part of every good party.

In Germany, success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan.

After 40 years one shouldn't lie to the people about the chances of a German reunion. There are none.

In a leading position, character is often more important than knowledge or intelligence.

In politics, you need a feeling for what's possible and what's reasonable.

Europe must not be a stronghold where we isolate ourselfes from others. It has to be open.

This moment is one of the happiest in my life.

Libraries are the intellectual gas stations of the country.

Asking for optimism from a 93-year-old is a bit too much.

The best way of predicting the future is shaping it.

Berlin will live and the Wall will fall!

When the train of German Unity starts rolling, we better make sure no one's run over.

Democracy shouldn't go as far as voting who's the father in a family.

Now, what belongs together, will grow together.

All I say is: China, China, China!

It's not enough to charm the people once a year at the ballot box.

The market is the only democratic judge that we have in modern economy.

Become unpopular first, or people want perceive you seriously.

I usually agree with what God did, but putting limits on intelligence without putting limits on stupidity wasn't a great move.

Experiences are like seeds that grow wisdom.

Our final goal must be to create the United States of Europe.

When other people think you're done - that's when you have to really get started!

If two people always share the same opinion, both have no value.