Dhe Federal President took a long time to give this speech. But now he comprehensively explained how he sees the situation of the nation and the world after the epochal break brought about by Putin, and how the Germans should react to it.
By Steinmeier’s standards, it was a blood-sweat-and-tear speech, even if it meant headwind, an ordeal and renunciation for him. But even with these words, the message should have got through: the golden days that Germany has been able to experience since reunification are over, even if they weren’t golden for everyone.
In the past, Father State and Mother Merkel always helped
But the Federal President would have failed in his job if he hadn’t given the Germans hope that they would survive this crisis well, or at least could. That would be easier with the unity sworn by Steinmeier than with the eternal dispute about anything and everything. However, it remains to be seen how far the willingness of German society to reach a consensus will reach if the belt doesn’t just have to be tightened a notch. That could be necessary more often and longer than in all the crises that Germany has already experienced in this century
Before the Germans had to get down to business, Father State and Mother Merkel always helped. So far, the traffic light coalition has followed their example. But even she can’t absorb every misfortune and run into endless debts.
A lot will therefore depend on whether there are enough of the resilient citizens whose characteristics Steinmeier described in detail. If that is the case, then Germany need fear neither Putin nor Xi Jinping. Then German democracy will also pass the test imposed on it by a dictator who presented a completely different world view than the Federal President the day before. Putin’s speech was spooky. Looking at Russia, even Steinmeier could only say: There is no longer any room for old dreams.
