German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered his final speech on German Unity Day, expressing concerns over the state of democracy in Germany. He noted that the hopes from the reunification era have faced significant setbacks. Steinmeier, who has served as president since 2017, reflected on the political changes over the past three decades, stating, "I thought everyone had learned the lesson from history, and now I see supporters of right-wing extremism seeking to erase the memory of the victims of the Holocaust." He emphasized that he believed democracy was secure but is now witnessing new challenges.
Steinmeier's term will end in March 2027, and he highlighted the importance of the presidency, stating it should not be taken lightly. He warned that promoting social cohesion and maintaining unity in Germany will be increasingly demanding in the future.
The official celebrations for German Unity Day began with an ecumenical service at Bremen's St. Peter's Cathedral, attended by Steinmeier, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and other senior officials. Over 550 events are scheduled in Bremen to mark the 36th anniversary of German reunification, which occurred on October 3, 1990, when the five states of the former East Germany joined the Federal Republic of Germany.
Elisabeth Kaiser, the German government's commissioner for eastern Germany, has called for the next president to come from the east, citing a lack of representation for eastern Germans in positions of power. Kaiser stated that the absence of leaders from eastern Germany could create the impression that they are marginalized in national leadership. She advocated for an eastern German president, suggesting that the time is right for such a change.
Kaiser pointed out ongoing disparities between eastern and western Germany in terms of income, wealth, and representation, stating that these differences must be addressed to achieve true German unity. The only president from eastern Germany since reunification was Joachim Gauck, who served from 2012 to 2017. The Federal Convention is set to elect Steinmeier's successor on January 30, 2027.