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Shkruar nga PamfletiThe German president spoke of a danger to democracy due to the strengthening of extremist forces both domestically and internationally.
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has expressed concern about the rise of extremist forces challenging democracy, calling on citizens to vote responsibly in the upcoming elections. In his traditional summer interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, he described the presidency as a "safety net for democracy" and spoke of a "double historic turning point," referring to developments in Russia and the United States.
According to Steinmeier, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 "broke the European security architecture", while US policy under Donald Trump "demonstrates a change in the perception of the values" on which transatlantic cooperation was built. He stressed that "we are facing a double historical turning point and a realistic approach is required" in relations between Berlin and Washington.
Commenting on relations with the US, the federal president stated that "We need the US. It is almost impossible to distance ourselves more than we are today. However, Germany is not responsible for where we are."
"We must not embrace the new spirit of recklessness. It is important to confront the overall international situation with our European model. For Germany and for Europe, it is true that we need an international order, laws and rules," said the German president.
Regarding the elections to be held in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, Steinmeier focused on polls predicting a high result for the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
"We should not behave as if the opinion polls are already the result of the elections. The election campaign has not even started," he added, adding that he believes that "the centrist parties will do everything to prevent extremist forces from achieving an absolute majority."
Asked whether German democracy is in danger, the president said that the position he holds today has taken a more active role in protecting the democratic system.
"The role of the Federal President has changed. In the past, the President stood above party politics. Twenty years ago and earlier, the choice was between left and right, right or wrong. While this is still largely true, today there are a significant number of people who vote against the democratic system ," he stated.
The federal president also commented on the package of reforms recently approved by the German government in the fields of insurance, healthcare and pensions.
"Finally, something happened! Something important happened!" he said, adding that "Perhaps we are experiencing a new phase in government policies" and that the governing coalition "has just moved from a purely defensive stance to a more aggressive approach."
He called for patience in implementing reforms and warned that "The decisive factor will be the creation of economic growth, because without it, politics will not be able to gain respect or regain the trust of citizens." According to him, structural reforms aim to stabilize social welfare systems and not to immediately increase citizens' incomes.
The interview also addressed the renovation of Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the federal president. Steinmeier explained that the project, with an estimated cost of around 800 million euros and an eight-year deadline, is related to the condition of the building.
"The building was put into operation in 1996 in unacceptable conditions and this is the main parameter that determines the overall cost of the project," he said.
According to official data, the temporary relocation of the presidency and infrastructure to the Spreebogen complex will cost an additional 200 million euros. Frank-Walter Steinmeier's second and final term ends on March 18, 2027, while the election of the new president is expected to take place on January 30, 2027.
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