The old is also the new: Frank-Walter Steinmeier was re-elected as Federal President. That was no surprise, because Steinmeier stands for continuity, his opponents didn’t stand a chance. Nevertheless, Steinmeier can also improve, the press comments.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can head the state for another five years. The Federal Assembly confirmed the 66-year-old on Sunday with a large majority for a second term. Steinmeier received 1,045 out of 1,425 valid votes, which corresponds to 73.3 percent.
With a clear appeal to Russia and a strong plea for democracy and the courage to change, Frank-Walter Steinmeier is entering a second term as Federal President. “Let’s not be afraid! Let’s grab the future by the horns,” he demanded on Sunday before the Federal Assembly after his re-election. Nothing has better answers for the future than democracy. At the same time, Steinmeier made it clear: “Anyone who fights for democracy will have me at their side. Anyone who attacks it will have me as their opponent!”
Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s “re-election is a signal for continuity”
This is how the German press commented on Steinmeier’s re-election:
“Frankfurter Rundschau”: “The act of election stood for what also characterizes the person of the old and new Federal President: The surprising, breaking out of routines, exploring new paths found little space in the Federal Assembly – the matter of the re-elected is not either. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a tireless preacher of social dialogue as the lifeblood of democracy. But whoever wants to defend democratic society must change it decisively. That is exactly what he does not stand for. The grand coalition continuation of a core neoliberal project is still at the center of Steinmeier’s thinking. But Doesn’t this country need an impeller who does the work of persuasion for a decisive socio-ecological transformation? 25 years ago, Federal President Roman Herzog gave his ‘jerk speech’, it became a manifesto of neoliberal restructuring. It’s about time that Germany experienced something the opposite. But with this Federal President, with all love, that will never happen right.”
“Leipziger Volkszeitung”: “The new and old Federal President provided a moment of relief in the midst of the global political crisis surrounding Ukraine. With the clear message to Russia that every country on earth has the right to self-determination and sovereignty and that Germany is firmly on the side of its Eastern European partners Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the position of the West crystal clear, without agreeing with the meanwhile aggressive tone of voice. Steinmeier is a safe bet as president.”
“Weser Courier” (Bremen): “The former Social Democratic Chancellor’s Minister, Foreign Minister and Chancellor candidate Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a networker, a shrewd diplomat, a judge of character. His speeches sound like smooth pebbles, rarely have edges, he often says the expected. Steinmeier works on a small scale, goes to the People, speaks to them, convinces more through gestures. What distinguishes him is that he has emancipated himself from party-political dependencies. Best proof: bringing himself into play when the question of his successor came up. After the convincing re-election, Steinmeier has even less reason that he has to please someone. On Sunday he impressively documented how he intends to use the leeway. His acceptance speech was peppered with combative passages: red lines for enemies of democracy inside and outside, for haters and violent criminals as well as clear responsibilities for the Ukraine Crisis with Vladimir Putin This gives hope for more courage for d clear words.”
“New Osnabrück Newspaper”: “His re-election is a signal for continuity, which is not a bad thing right now. Steinmeier has managed to become a non-partisan Federal President who has now been elected for a second term by an overwhelming majority. But he too must now find a new role next to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is leading a complicated new alliance of three parties and who has not yet been a man of big words. This offers the Federal President a larger stage, which he apparently also wants to use. His first speech after re-election to the address of the Russian President Vladimir Putin was clearer than much that has previously been heard from the federal government in the conflict in Ukraine.”
“Südkurier” (Constance): “Rarely has a Federal President been re-elected as unanimously as Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Already the first ballot brought clear conditions, the other candidates played no role. The signal to the population is clear. After the change of government, federal politics is focused on new beginnings and renewal At the head of the state, however, everything remains the same. Continuity instead of change. Steinmeier serves this need for predictability like no other. The constitution grants the Federal President few specific powers. If he can achieve something, then only through the power of his words. Where He has to convince others to govern. Where others emphasize opposites, he has to bring them together. His re-election was an almost silent undertaking for Steinmeier. It won’t be his next term.”
“People’s Voice” (Magdeburg): “Yesterday it was no surprise that Frank-Walter Steinmeier was given a second term. Since the CDU/CSU opposition, which was in the process of finding itself, decided not to have its own candidate, the decision was made: the old one is the new Federal President. What was more surprising was the plain text , with which Steinmeier accepted his re-election: Without diplomatic ado, he condemned Russian President Putin as the aggressor in the Ukraine crisis – and finally renounced his ex-boss Gerhard Schröder, whom he once served as Chancellor’s Minister and who is currently Ukrainian He hears ‘saber rattling’. The second addressee of a presidential rebuke: the maneuvering Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Steinmeier’s announcement: Russia should, if necessary, be countered with ‘clarity, deterrence and determination’. And domestically, the President wants to seek a confrontation with radical opponents of the Corona policy. Steinmeier remains true to his plain text course, his second term d he become stronger.”
“Reutlingen General Gazette”: “So far, Steinmeier has been considered more of a bore. He hasn’t yet managed to make a really great speech, such as the ‘Ruck’ speech by his predecessor Roman Herzog and the speech by Richard von Weizsäcker on the liberation of Germany from National Socialism. His demeanor is also effective Steinmeier often stiff and gray like an official, but that is probably exactly what Germany needs in this time of crises, conflicts and upheavals: a head of state who radiates seriousness, calm and thoughtfulness, who embodies civic virtues and who acts as a credible bridge builder in political and can serve social discord and promote social cohesion.”
“Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung”: “Steinmeier can and should do more in the freestyle: He will be the best anchor for democracy when people stick to his sentences, are surprised, think and discuss what has been said. Steinmeier could become the representative voice of the people even more . Just as he summoned the parties in 2017 to read them the riot act when it came to forming a government, this would also be overdue on the subject of electoral law. Otherwise the next federal assembly will have to move to the Berlin Olympic Stadium. would be a more significant contribution against party disenchantment than twelve speeches on the meaningfulness of representative democracy.”
“Cologne City Gazette”: “Steinmeier is a safe bet as President. He can and should do more in the freestyle: He will be the best anchor for democracy in the next five years, when people stick to his sentences, are surprised, think and reflect on what has been said Steinmeier could also become the representative voice of the people more than before. Just as he summoned the parties in 2017 to read them the riot act when it came to forming a government, this would also be overdue when it comes to the issue of electoral law.”
“Nuremberg News”: “There are plenty of other issues that urgently need to be addressed: Germany’s lack of innovative ability, the fixation on marginal issues such as gender instead of securing care, Germany’s lack of a chance as a lone fighter in the competition with Russia and China… Whether five Years of repeating what has been experienced so far or clever escalations and certainly also provocations that shake us all up, that is primarily up to Frank-Walter Steinmeier himself. It would be necessary.”
“Rhein-Zeitung” (Koblenz): “During his second term in office, the new Federal President has resolved to use his stage even more, to become more visible. The fact that Angela Merkel is no longer in office helps him. The style of the former chancellor became more and more presidential during her last term in office. Since Merkel gave up the CDU presidency in 2018, she has acted across party lines and was perceived by citizens more as an institution than as head of government.It is different with Scholz, who has to position himself clearly as SPD head of government in his first term and is not inclined to do so either the really big, state-supporting words. Steinmeier will be able to redefine his role here.”
“Rhine Palatinate” (Ludwigshafen): “The Federal Assembly, which is scheduled to take place every five years, has only one item on the agenda: the election of the German head of state. But even beyond this purpose, the 17th Federal Assembly fits in unusually well with the times. Because the relationship between the federal and state governments is not the best at the moment. The pandemic also had the effect of a split fungus there. All the better that the Bundestag and state parliaments remembered this Sunday to have a congruent mission: to serve the well-being of the people. Pure party politics is mostly an obstacle to the realization of this task. The Federal Assembly sent a very clear signal of unity. Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected across party lines with a large majority of MPs from the SPD, Greens, FDP and Union.”
“Märkische Oderzeitung” (Frankfurt/Oder): “In times of crisis, Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the right man in the right place – because he is so thoughtful. Nevertheless, it could be beneficial for peace in the country if he came out of cover more in his second term. The vaccination requirement is only one Example of the fact that the Federal President is in demand as a mediator. Climate policy will lead to even greater distortions, above all because of the social hardship associated with it. Steinmeier moved into Bellevue Palace as a social democrat. It would be good if he dealt more with social issues would make it heard.”
Source: Stern
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