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Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his speech
Photo: JENS SCHLUETER / AFP
With the constitution of the newly elected Bundestag, the term of office of the government of Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) officially ended today.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked Merkel and her cabinet for their work in recent years and expressed their respect.
Steinmeier said in Berlin before he presented Merkel and the other members of the government with the certificates of dismissal.
The corona pandemic in particular made enormous demands on them, said Steinmeier.
Federal President Merkel and the other members of the government of the grand coalition had previously asked to continue their executive offices until a new government was elected.
"To say that the past legislature was 'challenging' does not even come close to the tasks that had to be mastered," said Steinmeier, especially with a view to the corona crisis.
In this situation the rulers would have "taken responsibility for our country, with all the strength and seriousness that this situation demanded of them."
Another challenge was the growing polarization in society, which went hand in hand with the »brutalisation of language«.
Steinmeier paid special tribute to Merkel's services in the 16 years of her reign.
Her chancellorship was "formative for our reunited country and for the image of our country in the world" and also "formative for a whole generation of young women and men for whom she exemplified a new, very unique form of leadership."
Lots of crises and upheavals
It was a time "that was not exactly poor in crises and upheavals," said Steinmeier, referring to the financial and economic crisis, the euro crisis, then the "great humanitarian refugee and migration crisis" and finally the corona crisis.
The Chancellor had "earned our country respect, respect and even affection", in Europe and the world.
"Above all, however, you have won the trust of the citizens of our country," said the Federal President.
"Her decisions conveyed security and commitment." Steinmeier praised Merkel's courage "to take responsibility in the time when refugees from Syria sought protection with us" and her role as "mediator" in the European Union.
Despite the difficult formation of a government in 2017, the democratic forces in government and parliament "made sure that polarization and provocation could not prevail."
This joint effort was successful and "it is a success not only for you, but for democracy," said Steinmeier.
A total of around 600 laws have been passed in the past four years "and with them many concrete improvements in society", for example for family carers, families and single parents, the protection of tenants or the immigration of skilled workers, "which we urgently need «.
Steinmeier also praised the strengthening of the promotion of democracy and "legislative packages against hatred and agitation on the Internet".
mfh / AFP
