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Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for patience

Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses the people in an extraordinary television speech. The head of state pays tribute to the people of the country, but also appeals to them for the period after the crisis.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has people in Germany to patience, discipline and solidarity in the Corona crisis called. “It is not only politicians and experts who decide what will happen now, when and how the restrictions can be relaxed,” said Steinmeier in a television speech recorded on Saturday for the Easter holidays, which was to be broadcast on several television channels in the evening. “We all have it in our hands, through our patience and discipline – especially now when it is hardest for us,” he added.

Steinmeier: “Germany cannot emerge from the crisis strong enough”

Steinmeier appealed to citizens to preserve the experience of solidarity in the crisis afterwards. “The solidarity that you show every day, we will need it all the more in the future,” he said. After this crisis there will be another society. “We don’t want to become a fearful, not a suspicious society. We can be a society with more trust, with more respect and more confidence.” At the same time, the Federal President expressed optimism: “We can and we will also grow in this situation.”

Steinmeier strongly urged German solidarity within Europe. “Germany cannot come out of the crisis strong and healthy unless our neighbors become strong and healthy,” he said. “30 years after German unity, 75 years after the end of the war, we Germans are not only called to solidarity in Europe – we are obliged to do so.”

“Yes, we are vulnerable”

Steinmeier had called the Italian President Sergio Mattarella on the morning before the speech was recorded and had assured him of Germany’s solidarity in the difficult situation. It was the Federal President’s third phone call to Mattarella during the Corona crisis, which Italy, along with France and Spain in Europe, has been particularly hard hit by.

“Yes, we are vulnerable,” said Steinmeier about the pandemic. Perhaps it was “too long believed that we were invulnerable, that the only way to go faster, higher, further”. This was a mistake. But he is also “deeply impressed by the effort that our country has made in recent weeks”. Steinmeier said: “So many of you are now outgrowing yourself. Thank you for that.”

The danger has not yet been averted, so it is “good that the state is now acting forcefully”. The Federal President appealed: “I would like to ask you all to continue to trust, because the governing bodies in the federal and state governments are aware of their enormous responsibility.”

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recording his speech on television. (Source: Jesco Denzel / dpa)

The country is at a crossroads, said Steinmeier. Already in the crisis, the two directions that could be taken became apparent: “Either: everyone for themselves, elbows out, hamsters and bringing their own sheep to dryness? Or does the newly awakened commitment remain for others and for society? downright exploding creativity and helpfulness? “

Steinmeier asked whether the parcel carrier, even after the crisis, would continue to give the courier the appreciation they deserved. “Even after the crisis, let us still remember what indispensable work – in the maintenance“In care, in social professions, in day care centers and schools – must we really be worth it?” he asked rhetorically.

Corona pandemic “testing our humanity”

The Federal President called for worldwide solidarity and joint efforts against the Corona crisis. “Are we looking for a way out in the world or are we falling back into isolation and going it alone?” Knowledge and research should be shared so you can get there faster vaccine and Therapies get. Even the poorest and most vulnerable countries should have access to it.

The corona pandemic is not a war, said Steinmeier. “But it is a test of our humanity”, which causes the worst and the best in people. “Let’s show each other the best in us.” The Federal President concluded his speech with the words: “Merry Easter, all the best – and let’s take care of each other. “

Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) had given up their Saturday video podcast after consultation with Steinmeier. The Federal President’s nine-minute speech on television was considered an unusual sign – usually that turns Head of state only at Christmas in this form to people. For example, on August 31, 1961, Federal President Heinrich Lübke spoke about building the Berlin Wall. On July 21, 2005, Federal President Horst Köhler turned to the citizens after he received the Bundestag dissolved and scheduled a new election.

The speech by the Federal President was available in advance from t-online.de.

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