“For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together. That is my concept, but I support civil partnerships.”

Merkel, the staunch Christian who has been married twice, added that she believes that same-sex couples should have access to partnerships and tax breaks. “I am for registered civil partnerships. I am for our not having any discrimination in tax legislation. And wherever we still find discrimination, we will continue to dismantle it.”

She concluded, “I don’t want discrimination and [I want] equality.”

For the German speakers among you, watch the interview below: