On German Unity Day, Steinmeier laments 'bitter setbacks'
Germany's president has used his final Unity Day speech to warn the hopes of the reunification era have suffered "bitter setbacks." DW has the latest.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier highlighted the persistent challenges to Germany's democracy on German Unity Day, his final speech as president. He expressed concern that supporters of right-wing extremism are attempting to erase Holocaust victims' memories, and lamented that his expectations for liberal democracy and international cooperation had not been met.
Steinmeier emphasized that the presidency, while largely ceremonial, demands promoting social cohesion and preserving unity, which will become more demanding in the coming years. The 36th anniversary of German reunification was marked by celebrations across Germany's 16 states, with Bremen hosting the central festivities. However, disparities between eastern and western Germany persist, particularly in income, wealth, and representation in leadership roles.
Some, like Elisabeth Kaiser, advocate for an eastern German president to better represent the eastern population.
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