Merkel Warns of Long Road Ahead in Europe’s Virus Crisis

  • Germany was right to avoid ‘sweet poison’ of pre-crisis debt
  • Chancellor says that more sacrifices will still be needed
Angela Merkel speaks at her annual summer press conference on Aug. 28. Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe
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Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the coronavirus crisis will get worse before it gets better and that the fallout will test Germany’s finances for months, if not years.

The long-time leader of Europe’s biggest economy was short on comforting words, saying that beating the disease hangs on the uncertain pace of developing and disseminating a vaccine, which could take 12 months or more. As the summer draws to a close and people are forced indoors, the situation is likely to get worse, she said during her annual summer press conference.