On Sunday, a special parliamentary assembly comprising lawmakers and state nominated delegates re-elected German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats Party for a second five-year term.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, along with 1,437 delegates, took part in the federal convention. Steinmeier obtained 1045 of the 1,437 votes, securing a more than two-thirds majority. Apart from Steinmeier, Gerhard Trabert, Stefanie Gebauer and Max Otte also competed for the post.
Germany, Presidential election today (indirect):
— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) February 13, 2022
Final result
Steinmeier (SPD-S&D): 1,045
Otte (CDU¹-EPP): 140
Trabert: (*~LEFT): 96
Gebauer (FW-RE): 58
¹ party membership rights suspended
Frank-Walter Steinmeier is reelected as President of Germany. #Bundesversammlung #BPW pic.twitter.com/2SNdcDgjQe
The president’s position is largely symbolic in Germany but still deemed to be the country’s highest authority. He or she signs the bills into law and represents the nation in several ceremonies held nationally and internationally.
In his acceptance speech, Steinmeier said, “My responsibility is for all the people who live in our country. Non-partisan, yes — but I am not neutral when it comes to the cause of democracy. Whoever fights for democracy will have me on his side. Whoever attacks it will have me as an opponent.”
Following his re-election, Steinmeier vowed to defend and strengthen democracy and highlighted the challenges faced by opponents of democracy, who he said are using the current COVID-19 pandemic to create doubts about democratic institutions, free media and free science. To this end, he vowed to fight back and also heal wounds created by the ongoing pandemic.
Steinmeier also took a dig at Russia, accusing it of stoking military conflict in Eastern Europe. “Russia’s troop buildup cannot be misunderstood — it is a threat to Ukraine, and it is supposed to be one. But the people there have a right to live without fear and threat, to self-determination and sovereignty,” he said, adding, “No country in the world has the right to destroy that — and whoever tries to do so, we will answer you decisively.”
Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops near Ukraine, indicating another Russian invasion of the Eastern European country. The West has threatened Russia with severe sanctions, including shutting down the Nord Stream pipeline, 2 if it invades Ukraine. Moscow, however, has denied any intention of attacking Kyiv and instead sought legal guarantees to restrict North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) eastward expansion.
Steinmeier’s re-election was expected after he won the support of the ruling coalition of the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats last month. Before last year’s federal elections in September, Steinmeier announced he would seek a second term as the country’s president. According to a poll conducted in mid-January, 81% of the people said Steinmeier should stay in office.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed Steinmeier’s appointment saying, “He [Steinmeier] has shown that he is in a position to talk directly to the people, to ensure solidarity in our society, but also to provide guidance.”
Frank-Walter #Steinmeier hat den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in schwierigen Zeiten Orientierung gegeben und mit Herzblut das höchste Amt im Staat bekleidet. Ich bin froh, dass er dies weiterhin tun wird. Herzlichen Glückwunsch, lieber #Bundespräsident!
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) February 13, 2022
Und: Hallo, Twitter!
Before he was appointed as the German President in 2017, Steinmeier served as the foreign minister under Merkel twice. He also served as Merkel’s Vice-Chancellor from 2007 to 2009. Prior to his, he served as Chief of Staff to former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.