'Largest peace project' in history of mankind: Merkel gushes at Germany's bond with EU
GETTY Angela Merkel is seeking re-election
The chancellor said European integration was about the “protection of human dignity” during an intensely pro-EU speech to members of her party in the city of Dortmund. Mrs Merkel told members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) the world was living in “turbulent times” but said European countries working together was the best way to maintain stability.
European leaders and eurocrats have repeatedly returned to the historic motif of the EU as a peace project in a bid to shore up precarious levels of support for the bloc. Officials are very aware that, whilst the club’s credentials are secure with older continental voters, who have stronger personal connections to the war years, its relevance has been on the wane amongst younger people.
In her speech Mrs Merkel said strengthening European integration was in the interest of peace, prosperity and the enforcement of Western values around the world. The chancellor, who is on the campaign trail ahead of her expected re-election next month, told CDU members the EU was “wonderful” and “the largest peace project” and that her party would never question it. In a nod to recent world events, especially the tensions in the Korean Peninsula, she added: “We live in turbulent times. In times when a lot is not as clear as we would like it to be."
Mrs Merkel also referenced internal crises, such as migration, and insisted the bloc has “good weapons” to tackle them as long as it sticks to its core principles of freedom, solidarity, justice and a social market economy. The Berlin chief attempted to play down internal divisions within the bloc, which is ravaged by disagreements over migration, rule of law and fiscal policy, saying member states must stick together. And she dismissed characterisations of different nationalities, especially the prevailing idea that Mediterranean workers are too lazy and that Northern Europeans are too mean with their money.
Angela Merkel in pictures Tue, August 8, 2017 Angela Merkel has served as German Chancellor since 2005 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000. We take a look at her political career in pictures. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 83 Angela Merkel through the years