Analysis
The quote aligns with Merkel’s March 13, 2020, press conference, where she emphasized urgency over fiscal restraint in combating the pandemic’s economic fallout. Her government subsequently rolled out massive stimulus packages, including €750 billion in aid (per *Deutsche Welle*), corroborating the sentiment. No credible sources dispute the attribution or intent of the statement. The phrasing matches her recorded remarks in German ('*In einer Krise fragt man nicht, was etwas kostet, sondern man handelt*').
Background
Merkel’s statement came as Germany faced its first COVID-19 lockdown, with businesses shutting and unemployment risks rising. The remark reflected a broader EU shift toward 'whatever it takes' economic policies, echoing ECB President Christine Lagarde’s stance. Germany’s 2020 *Schutzschild* (protective shield) measures, including wage subsidies and liquidity support, became a model for pandemic fiscal responses.
Verdict summary
Angela Merkel did state in March 2020 that cost was not the primary concern in Germany’s COVID-19 economic response, prioritizing decisive action instead.