Yesterday, Angela Merkel stopped the announced Easter rest and asked the people of the country for forgiveness.

Today, the Chancellor issued a government statement in the German Bundestag. She called on citizens and MEPs to be confident and to continue their commitment to the fight against the Corona pandemic: "The light at the end of the tunnel is visible." Now it is necessary to "join forces, even if it is difficult at the moment. That is what I want for our country," said the chancellor.Angela Merkel: "We have to join forces, even if it is difficult at the moment." With vaccinations and tests, there is a way out of the crisis. The municipalities urged them to be more creative in coping with the Corona pandemic: "No mayor or district council is barred from doing what is being done in Tübingen and Rostock," she made clear, referring to the successful test strategies there. The citizens called on Merkel to make use of the now existing free trial offers. "The best test offers are of no use if they are not perceived." Testing is the "bridge" on the way there until a broad vaccination effect begins. "The more we test, the less we have to limit." Europe must ensure its own vaccine production, and Europe has a key role to play in the fight against Corona. Today and tomorrow, the Chancellor is at the digital summit of European leaders. Their aim: to ensure and advance the independent production of Corona vaccines in the European Union. In the UK, vaccines are produced for the UK, and the US does not export vaccines. It is therefore crucial that as much vaccine as possible is produced in Europe as well. At the same time, the view of the world must not be lost. Europe is aware of its responsibility for the global supply of vaccines. If this does not succeed, new mutations of the virus will be confronted again and again – against which vaccinations may not be able to protect.