Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has drawn a critical conclusion 33 years after German reunification. “It’s not just about the material, it’s about the feeling of being equal. And there are imbalances,” he said on Monday evening in the ARD daily topics. “If we look at the number of East Germans in leadership positions, perhaps this has been somewhat successful in politics, but not at all in areas of business, science and also the media,” he said.
“Many East Germans have the feeling that they are not heard and not seen, that their stories have not become part of a common German history and that there has not been any real interest in their biographies in the West,” said Steinmeier.
Many of these people said that they had been signaled that they had just lived “the wrong life.” “I think we have to take a self-critical look at all of us – including the West Germans – about this. And in fact, the East German stories must become more of a part of our common history.” Steinmeier said a lot had been achieved. “We shouldn’t downplay this.” He added: “We have achieved a lot more than we think, but not as much as we actually could.”
According to Steinmeier, limitation can only work with external border controls
Steinmeier has also spoken out in favor of limiting the number of refugees admitted to Germany. “We need to limit access, there’s no question about that.” But in the end, this limit can only be achieved if Germany carries out external border controls with the other European member states. In addition, it must be ensured that the examination procedures of those who have little or no chance of asylum are carried out at the external borders and the people are then deported from there. “If we can get this regulation right, and thank God we are on the way now, then the number of arrivals in Germany will also decrease,” said Steinmeier.
In the debate, one should avoid using formulations that suggest that there is one lever. Steinmeier said he advocates that the federal, state and local governments act together. Politics is currently still in election campaign mode because of the state elections in Hesse and Bavaria. “I very much hope that when this is behind us, a climate will emerge again in which the democratic parties can come to an agreement with each other.” If that is not the case and it remains an eternal topic of debate, others will benefit from it.
Steinmeier replied to a question about the high poll numbers for the AfD that he understood that in a democracy people express their dissatisfaction. “I have (…) no understanding of using one’s democratic voice to support ideas or movements that are based on contempt for democracy. And that is why I strongly advocate using one’s own voice responsibly. “