Christmas speech: Steinmeier calls for unity after the Magdeburg attack

After the attack in Magdeburg, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on society in Germany to stand together. “Hate and violence must not have the last word. Let’s not let ourselves be driven apart. Let’s stand together,” said Steinmeier in his pre-published Christmas speech.

There is a “dark shadow” over this Christmas. There is sadness, pain, horror and bewilderment about what happened in Magdeburg. Many people’s hearts will be heavy this Christmas. Many are upset and unsettled, perhaps even afraid. “All of these feelings are understandable. But they must not control us and they must not paralyze us,” said the Federal President.

Relatives are not alone with their pain

In the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg on Friday evening, five people were killed and around 200 were injured, some seriously. The perpetrator, Taleb A., drove a car into the crowd. The doctor from Bernburg, south of Magdeburg, comes from Saudi Arabia, has lived in Germany since 2006 and received asylum in 2016 as a politically persecuted person. He has been noticed in various places over the past few years and is now in custody.

Because of the death journey, Steinmeier changed his already recorded Christmas speech and re-recorded it. It will air on Christmas Day.

Steinmeier assured the victims’ relatives: “You are not alone in your pain. People all over our country feel and mourn with you.”

Traffic lights off is not the end of the world

The Federal President also briefly discussed the failure of the traffic light coalition. “Even if a government has come to an end prematurely, it is not the end of the world, but a case for which this Basic Law has made provision,” he said. “I will make the decision on the dissolution of the Bundestag and new elections with care after Christmas.” Steinmeier wants to announce his decision on December 27th.

Reflection on your own strengths

In view of numerous crises and challenges, Steinmeier called on the people of Germany to reflect on the strengths “with which we have mastered major tasks and crises together in the past.” He mentioned community spirit and drive, inventiveness and hard work, courage and ambition as well as trust in ourselves. “We haven’t lost all of that, it’s all alive, I encounter all of it almost every day, and I’m convinced: all of it “This will open new paths for us into the future again and again.”

In this context, the Federal President referred to the wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and in far too many places in the world. There is a lot of dissatisfaction with politics, the economy, bureaucracy and injustice in our own country. “The tone in our country has become harsher in everyday life, sometimes even unforgiving.”

Address problems openly

There are many challenges that have to be faced, said Steinmeier. “We have to openly say what is going wrong, what is not working in our country as it could and should work. And above all: what urgently needs to be done.”

Steinmeier encouraged young people: “You are needed, in many places you are desperately wanted. And that is why I also say to the parents and grandparents who are worried about their children and grandchildren: The young people can, I am convinced, they will Go away.”

Volunteers give the country warmth

Steinmeier thanked the many volunteers – “all these wonderful people who think about more than just themselves,” as he said. “They all do great things – and they give our country warmth and a friendly face.”

Christmas reminds us that we do not only live from what we ourselves can do and achieve, said Steinmeier. “We often live even more from what we are given. We also live from some good things that come to us unexpectedly and from the happiness that others give us.”