The German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday warned that the year 2013 will be, economically, more difficult than in 2012 when Germany has managed to avoid the recession. Contradicting the recent assurances from German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble that the situation is improving on the crisis in the euro zone, Merkel said in a video message recorded on the occasion of the new year that the economic climate in the next year will be more difficult. Merkel, who will run the general election in 2013, referred in the message to indications of a global economy slowdown. \"In fact, the economic environment next year will not be easier, but more difficult\", Merkel said adding that it should not leave us discouraged but should spur us on.