“The euro is a currency we will protect, for which we will vouch and for which we show solidarity,” Merkel said at a rally of her Christian Democratic Union party in Mainz, Germany. “But of course, not without making sure that the euro remains strong.”

Five weeks before the first of seven elections in Germany’s 16 states this year, Merkel faces the threat of a rebellion within the ranks of her governing coalition over any moves to grant additional aid to indebted euro-area states at the expense of German taxpayers.

Solidarity in Europe can’t be separated from the euro’s stability, solid public finances and enhanced competitiveness in all European Union countries, and especially among euro region members, Merkel said before a two-day meeting of top officials from her party.