Last minute… Frank-Walter Steinmeier was re-elected in the 17th presidential election in Germany.
The Federation Council, which consists of 736 deputies of the Bundestag and the same number of delegates determined by the states to elect the President, met in the Paul-Löbe building next to the Bundestag building.
Here, in the election held under the direction of Baerbel Bas from the President of the Bundestag, Steinmeier was re-elected president, receiving 1,045 of 1425 valid votes in the first round.
CALLS PUTIN
In his speech, Steinmeier warned Russian President Vladimir Putin not to underestimate democracy regarding the Ukraine crisis and said, “I call to President Putin, untie the knot from Ukraine’s neck and join us in finding a way to keep peace in Europe.” said.
Stating that there may be a lot of discussion about the reasons for the increasing alienation between Russia and the West, Steinmeier said, “However, the issue that we cannot discuss is that we are in danger of a military conflict and war in Eastern Europe. The responsibility in this regard is Russia. Russia’s troop deployment cannot be misunderstood. “It is and should be a threat to Ukraine. But the people there have the right to live without fear and threat, to self-determination and sovereignty. No country in the world has the right to destroy it, and we will resolutely respond to anyone who tries it.” used the phrases.
“WE ACCEPT OUR ALLIANCE”
Emphasizing that fear is growing not only in Ukraine but also in many countries in Eastern Europe, Steinmeier said, “This is why we stand with Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians; we stand with Poles, Slovaks, Romanians and all allies. You can count on us. Germany is part of NATO and the European Union.” “Without them, we Germans would not be able to live in unity and freedom today. Let’s not forget this. Without any ambiguity, we accept our commitment to the alliance.” he said.
Steinmeier pointed out that the presidency is not partisan and he will act accordingly.
“My responsibility applies to all people living in our country, but I am not impartial when it comes to the cause of democracy. I will stand by everyone who fights for democracy. But whoever attacks democracy will find me against it.” Steinmeier said, adding that the pandemic has left deep wounds in German society and that he wants to help these wounds heal.
“NOTHING IS NORMAL THESE DAYS.”
In the voting, in which 1437 delegates participated and 12 votes were deemed invalid, Max Otte, the candidate of the anti-Islam and anti-immigrant AfD, received 140 votes, the Left Party candidate Gerhard Trabert 96, and the Free Voters’ candidate Stefanie Gebauer 58 votes, 86 abstaining.
President of the Federal Assembly Bas, in his speech before the election, pointed out that large-scale strict measures were taken in these elections to protect from Kovid-19, “Nothing is normal these days.” said.
Noting that the virus has spread, Bas noted that the epidemic is a threat especially for sick and weak people.
CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT BAS TO THE GERMAN PEOPLE
Bas stated that many things that united the society were lost in the polarization caused by the epidemic, and explained that many of the people lost their trust in government institutions.
Stating that the atmosphere in the country was affected by this, Bas called on the people to be brave in the difficult conditions of Kovid-19.
Referring to the Ukraine crisis, Bas reminded that the situation in Ukraine has developed in a way that was unthinkable a short time ago, and that many countries, including Germany, called on their citizens to leave Ukraine.
UKRAINE MESSAGE
Bas called for the preservation of peace, “Let’s use all the means of diplomacy to avoid the danger of war. Every war has only losers.” he said.
Many famous names, determined by the state assemblies, also voted among the delegates in the elections.
OZEM TURECI WAS ALSO AMONG THE VOTES
Among those who voted, former Chancellor Angela Merkel, co-founder of BioNTech company that developed a Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Özlem Türeci also included names such as German National Team Coach Hansi Flick, Bayern Munich’s football player Leon Goretzka, Chemistry Nobel Prize winner Benjamin List and Astronaut Alexander Gerst.
Kadir Sancı, one of the responsibles of the “House of One” project, which Turkey reacted to due to the inclusion of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, also took part in the religious ceremony held before the elections. (AA)