Plea for democracy and appeal to Putin
In his first speech, Germany’s former and new Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier found some unusually frank words – addressing them not only to his fellow citizens.
Berlin (dpa) - Frank-Walter Steinmeier is entering a second term as federal president with a clear appeal to Russia and a strong plea for democracy and the courage to change. "Let us not be fearful! Let us take the future by the horns," he urged on Sunday in a speech before the Federal Convention following his re-election. Nothing has better answers to the future than democracy, he said. At the same time, Steinmeier made it clear: "Whoever fights for democracy will have me on their side. Whoever attacks it will have me as an opponent!" Earlier, the Federal Convention had re-elected the 66-year-old as head of state with a large majority. Officially, his second term begins on 19 March.
Employing unusually harsh language, Steinmeier addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin right at the beginning of his speech, unequivocally holding him responsible for the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. "I appeal to President Putin: loosen the noose around Ukraine's neck and seek with us a path that will preserve peace in Europe," Steinmeier said, adding that the Russian president should not make the mistake of underestimating the strength of democracy. He said that the same message was coming from Washington, Paris and Berlin at the moment: "We want peaceful neighbourly relations with mutual respect." Steinmeier stressed that peace is something that must be built and rebuilt time and again, in dialogue, though where necessary also with clarity, deterrence and determination. Germany's message to its Nato partners in Eastern Europe, he said, is: "You can rely on us.
Ukraine: Germany – a reliable partner