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Economy Worst Since World War II Says Merkel

In economic times like these, a little historical perspective can go a long way. That, at least, was the message delivered by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in an interview with the mass-circulation tabloid Bild published on Wednesday.

"In Germany, we have overcome other major challenges," she said. "This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany and 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall. We succeeded ... in rebuilding after World War II and we tackled reunification following 1989."

But Merkel's other historical message in the interview was more to the point. "Such a recession, one which is taking place in all countries around the world, hasn't been seen since World War II."

Read entire article at Spiegel Online