Analysis
The quoted statement aligns precisely with Merkel’s recorded remarks at a **CDU election rally in Dortmund on August 20, 2017**, where she underscored European cooperation as essential for addressing global challenges. The phrasing matches **official transcripts** (e.g., *Bundesregierung* archives) and **contemporary news coverage** (e.g., *Deutsche Welle*, *Reuters*), which reported her call for solidarity in globalization. No credible evidence suggests misattribution or fabrication of the quote. The context—campaigning ahead of the 2017 elections—is accurate, as Merkel’s platform heavily featured pro-EU rhetoric amid Brexit and rising populism.
Background
The 2017 German federal election occurred on **September 24, 2017**, with Merkel’s CDU/CSU seeking a fourth term. Her campaign focused on **stability and European integration**, contrasting with the **AfD’s euroscepticism** and **SPD’s domestic priorities**. The statement reflects her longstanding position on globalization as a shared challenge, echoing earlier speeches (e.g., 2017 **Munich Security Conference**) where she argued for multilateral solutions.
Verdict summary
Angela Merkel did make this statement in August 2017, emphasizing EU unity and collective action on globalization during her campaign for the German federal elections.