European leaders on Thursday expressed optimism that the German government crisis will be resolved quickly, as they arrived at a leaders’ meeting in Budapest.
“Germany is an important partner in the [European] Union. I assume that Germany will get to grips with the problems as quickly as possible,” said Viola Amherd, president of Switzerland, Germany’s southern neighbour.
Finnnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said it was important that new elections are held soon.
“We need a strong and united German government, and we need a strong Germany in the European Union,” Orpo said.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo does not expect the collapse of the government in Berlin to have “that much of an impact” abroad.
“Germany, of course, is the economic engine of the European club, but I would not dramatize this. This is part of democracy,” De Croo said.
“Europe is strong when Germany is vibrant,” Norwegian Prime Minister Gahr Store said, hoping for a quick resolution of the political crisis. “That’s where Norway and Europe want to see Germany.”
