German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged to "stand up" to populist movements in Europe "decisively," amid a video scandal involving former Austrian Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache that resulted in his resignation. She spoke at a press conference alongside Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb on Saturday.

Merkel said that Europe is "dealing with populist movements" that "want to destroy" the EU's shared values. She noted that "this [the rise of populist movements] includes that minorities are not being protected, that fundamental human rights are being questioned, that corruption in politics plays a role."

The German chancellor stressed that Germany and other countries would work to combat such movements "in a decisive manner," adding that it is also of importance for the European People's Party (EPP), which she represents.