Merkel emphasizes German prosperity, security at rally
BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the final phase of her election campaign Saturday with a focus on her record, emphasizing the economic growth and prosperity achieved during her dozen years at the helm as she seeks a fourth term.
Merkel told a rally organized by her Christian Democratic Union party in the western city of Dortmund that unemployment has dropped to a post-reunification low since she first was elected chancellor in 2005.
She told the crowd she hoped to achieve full employment — a rate below 3 per cent — by 2025. The rate hit as high as 12.6 per cent in early 2005 and was most recently at 5.6 per cent in July.
“Those are really excellent figures,” Merkel said, going on to note that government and industry must not be complacent because technology is changing the way the economy functions.