Merkel brushes off Sarko election snub
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday denied being annoyed over French President Nicolas Sarkozy's comment that she would not play a direct part in his re-election campaign.
"I have said ... that I am supporting French President Nicolas Sarkozy to become the next French president," she told reporters when asked if she was annoyed.
She continued that "in whatever form the support is wanted" it would be offered, and added: "To be honest, we have things to do here at home."
Merkel said she and the French leader, a fellow conservative, had worked well together and pointed out that the leader of Germany's main opposition Social Democrats was also backing Sarkozy's socialist rival, Francois Hollande.
"It is quite normal in Europe that one supports each other within the (same) political family," Merkel said.
Sarkozy said earlier this month that Merkel would visit France "at some point or another" but would not attend any campaign events "because an election campaign is the French people's business."
Reports that she would join him on the campaign trail sparked accusations of foreign interference.
AFP/bk
See Also
"I have said ... that I am supporting French President Nicolas Sarkozy to become the next French president," she told reporters when asked if she was annoyed.
She continued that "in whatever form the support is wanted" it would be offered, and added: "To be honest, we have things to do here at home."
Merkel said she and the French leader, a fellow conservative, had worked well together and pointed out that the leader of Germany's main opposition Social Democrats was also backing Sarkozy's socialist rival, Francois Hollande.
"It is quite normal in Europe that one supports each other within the (same) political family," Merkel said.
Sarkozy said earlier this month that Merkel would visit France "at some point or another" but would not attend any campaign events "because an election campaign is the French people's business."
Reports that she would join him on the campaign trail sparked accusations of foreign interference.
AFP/bk
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.