She noted that for the 14th time in this position she took part in the congress and, "in all likelihood", the last.
The head of government recalled the difficulties faced by Germany and the EU during this time, mentioning the economic crisis, illegal migration, unemployment.
“Currently, we are fighting - absolutely definitely - the most serious challenge: a pandemic that threatens our health and our lives, which is changing our way of life,” Merkel quotes TASS.
On January 9, Merkel said that the next weeks of winter will be the most severe phase of the pandemic.
The quarantine in the country has been extended until the end of the month.