Merkel's New Year Speech: German leader promises to sort out political uncertainty

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Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to quickly form a coalition government in her New Year's address. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports from Berlin.

GUY HENDERSON BERLIN Bear in mind the context surrounding this speech — it's 3 months since Germany's elections took place, Chancellor Angela Merkel still hasn't managed to form a coalition government yet; an increasing number of Germans say they don't want her to stay out her full fourth term in office.

So this was a moment for Chancellor Merkel to tell Germans why they should keep the faith. So what was her big pitch?

First, she promised to sort out the unusual level of political uncertainty by quickly establishing a stable government in the New Year. I think that would surprise a lot of Germans who seem to believe talks could drag on for months.

Second, she promised to do more to tackle the kinds of inequalities in German society that may well have contributed to her party losing millions of votes back in September. And she linked Germany's success in doing that to Europe's ability to reform after a very bumpy few years.

ANGELA MERKEL GERMAN CHANCELLOR "The future of Germany is inextricably linked to the future of Europe. Twenty-seven states in Europe must be moved more than ever to stick together as one community. That will be the crucial question of the coming years. Germany and France want to work together to make this happen and thus help to make Europe fit for the future."

GUY HENDERSON BERLIN It almost sounds as though the Chancellor is saying: if you want the more popular French president Emmanuel Macron to succeed in breathing new life into the Union, I am the leader who can help make that happen. That's unfamiliar territory for a leader more used to taking centre stage herself. GH, CGTN, BERLN.