Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Freedom of opinion is a valuable asset in a democracy. ”

The CDU was a party that united different denominational and ideological currents. If the idea of a rightward shift means that we ignore those roots and only define ourselves as a conservative party, then I am strictly opposed. ”

The CDU is a party with more than 400,000 members. The fact that each one has a different opinion is what makes us interesting. ”

If we have political forces in the Bundestag, and in parts of the coalition, who... say they want to spend money on pensions, not weapons. Then I say, be honest and say you don't want a German army. ”

I learned what it is to lead - and above all learnt that leadership is more about being strong on the inside than being loud on the outside. ”

It's hard to pigeonhole me. ”

I think people see me as authentic, just like I am, with my ideas, my style of doing politics. ”

We have to be strong in ourselves. Whoever defines themselves only through their opponents risks making their entire programme... dependent on others. ”

Being a people's party cannot mean being a kind of all-purpose political shop that offers something for everyone. ”

I have read a lot about what I am and who I am: 'mini,' a copy, simply 'more of the same.' Dear delegates, I stand before you as I am and as life made me and I am proud of that. ”