The European Union’s top officials showed little concern over the collapse of Germany’s coalition government and the prospect of early elections in the bloc’s biggest member country.

“In democracies, we have elections,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday, as she arrived at a meeting of European leaders in Budapest.

How to settle the political crisis in Berlin was “for Germany to discuss,” she added.

“Well, that’s democracy,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in Budapest, striking a very similar tone.

She however called on Berlin to continue to keep on collaborating with other big EU countries despite the political turmoil at home.

“Without a strong Germany, we cannot have a strong Europe,” she said.

“This is the political democratic debate,” said European Council President Charles Michel. “We don’t fear the democratic institutions, on the contrary.”

A general view of the opening plenary session presided by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (C) at the European Political Community Summit. Dario Pignatelli/EU CouncilC/dpaA general view of the opening plenary session presided by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (C) at the European Political Community Summit. Dario Pignatelli/EU CouncilC/dpa

A general view of the opening plenary session presided by Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban (C) at the European Political Community Summit. Dario Pignatelli/EU CouncilC/dpa



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