Image from the original article. Source: Despite poor poll numbers: Chancellor Scholz is counting on re-election in 2025:

"Whoever normalizes the AfD does not destroy the AfD, but the CDU."— Florian Schroeder in his column about the implications of Jens Spahn's approach to the AfD.

"It is important that we improve the mood in the country by summer. The population must feel that there is a difference when there is a new government."— Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, on the need to strengthen public trust in the new government by summer.

"I am not convinced that Putin will respond positively to weakness and peace offerings; he must eventually recognize the hopelessness of this war - for that, we must help Ukraine."— Friedrich Merz, likely future Chancellor, in the ARD program "Caren Miosga".

"The right to asylum cannot be limited to a specific number of asylum seekers - especially not at a time when more people than ever before are fleeing worldwide."— Oliver Müller, Head of International Affairs, Migration, and Disaster Relief at the German Caritas Association, in response to an inquiry from the KNA news agency.

"The surprise of the distribution of ministries is attributed to the negotiation tactics of party leader Lars Klingbeil."— This statement reflects the SPD's assessment of the distribution of ministries and its reasons.

"In these cases, there are concrete, legally binding admission promises made by Germany in the past."— A spokesperson from the Federal Ministry of the Interior emphasizes the legal commitments for the Afghans.

"Women make up half of the population and we also want, as we sometimes say, not just half the cake, but the whole bakery."— Saskia Esken, SPD chair, in an interview with the German Press Agency, advocating for a gender-balanced representation of SPD members in the new federal cabinet.

"We want to set a loud signal."— Lisa Jarmuth, chairwoman of the Jusos in the SPD district of Hanover, expresses this desire in the context of rejecting the coalition agreement.

Everyone who knows me knows it has to fit. Otherwise, it just doesn't make sense.— Carsten Linnemann, explaining his decision not to take a ministerial position.

"We must have delivered the first things before the summer break."— Jens Spahn comments on the urgency of political measures regarding illegal migration.

"That will happen."— Friedrich Merz reaffirms his goal to enforce the rejection of asylum seekers at the borders.

"We are facing a decade of testing: Will we be able to ensure credible deterrence and defense in the coming years or not."— Boris Pistorius, acting Minister of Defense, comments on Germany's future defense strategy.

One should never say 'never.' We do not know what else will happen in this world.— Friedrich Merz made this statement in the context of discussing potential tax increases during an interview with Caren Miosga.

"For us, it is not enough."— Philipp Türmer, Juso Chairman, in the program 'Frühstart' on RTL/ntv regarding the coalition agreement.

"What is happening now is an alarm signal."— Ifo Chief warns of a new world economic crisis