Merkel emphasizes German prosperity, security at rally
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the final phase of her election campaign with a focus her record, emphasizing the economic growth and prosperity achieved in her dozen years at the helm.
Merkel told a party rally Saturday in the western city of Dortmund that since she was first elected in 2005 unemployment has dropped to a post-reunification low and said she hoped to achieve full employment — a rate below 3 percent — by 2025.
She also highlighted Germany's role in the European Union, saying "strengthening Europe means strengthening Germany."
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She told the crowd "for us the greatest security and the greatest peace project is the European Union."
Merkel's conservative bloc currently enjoys a bigger-than 15 percent lead over the main competition Social Democrats ahead of the Sept. 24 vote.