Thorsten BennerVerified account

The European dimension of Germans' solidarity in this crisis will be tested when economic, fiscal, and monetary help is needed to preserve our neighbours livelihoods, the Eurozone, and the Union. Germans need to be prepared for this.

As you said, the primary goal was to get her audience to change behavior. I would even say it was the only goal. The address was rightfully focused on this very important goal. Diverting attention to European solidarity would have undercut the message without helping Italy etc.

Merkel was talking to Germans - motivating Germans. As she said 'ohne Zwang'. If she tried to explain that Germans - as Europeans - have a responsibility, not to their family, but to Italians etc in need - she would lose credibility and her speech would be counterproductive

Because this speech's only intend was to warn us Germans to finally get our act together.

She addressed the community in Germany, as a Pole living in Berlin, I received her speech very well and generally one can feel lots of solidarity on the streets, this part was nice: ”Und wir sind eine Gemeinschaft, in der jedes Leben und jeder Mensch zählt”

I'll explain: This is a Global intelligence community "newsplay" like "war of the worlds" inverting worldwide response to HIV in 1984, specifically the San Francisco "Bathhouse Debate" and the metaphor of "walls." So, it's basically giving "everybody AIDS" because of "behaviors"

I suspect Germany's participation is unique in this regard due to sex work legalization, federal-state balance, post-facsist culture, and historical division, so if you invert the AIDS epidemic you get some interesting responses and ethical questions.