I am not overconfident.

The extremist, isolationist policies of Jean-Marie Le Pen have been rejected and crushed.

No one wants to lose their job, or cede the power they’ve acquired.

Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power – not just a trading bloc, but a political entity?

There are times when the welfare system may appear as an impediment to growth. Yet the drive for growth should always bear in mind the fact that people also need security.

So when you are faced with a decision on the euro, it is not surprising that many people are confused. They still try to squeeze the euro debate into the old language. But deep down it is a matter of deciding where one’s future lies. It is a matter of political will and courage.

I don’t want to pass a punitive law, or use politics as a vendetta.

Are we all clear that we want to build something that can aspire to be a world power - not just a trading bloc, but a political entity?

Democracies must have equilibrium... and the entanglement of politics and information must be minimized.

I am sure the euro will oblige us to introduce a new set of economic policy instruments. It is politically impossible to propose that now. But some day there will be a crisis and new instruments will be created.