Federal President election: Left puts up its own candidate

Created: 01/09/2022Updated: 01/09/2022, 8:15 PM

Bellevue Palace in Berlin is the official residence of the Federal President.

© picture alliance / Soeren Stache / dpa

The re-election of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in February is considered certain.

The left is now nominating an opposing candidate more symbolically: Gerhard Trabert is a social medicine specialist from Mainz.

Berlin - Die Linke wants to send the social medicine specialist Gerhard Trabert from Mainz as a candidate for the election of the Federal President.

A party spokesman confirmed this on Sunday evening.

The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" had previously reported, which appealed to the top of the party and parliamentary group as well as Trabert himself.

Trabert is supposed to compete against incumbent Frank-Walter Steinmeier - he can count on a large majority for his re-election, as he is supported by the Ampel coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP as well as the CDU and CSU.

"I would like to use the candidacy to point out the poverty and social injustice in this country, and to appear as an advocate for people who are not heard enough," said Trabert of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".

“That is one of the very own tasks of a Federal President.” Of course he will not be elected head of state, but he sees some chance of stimulating a discussion.

Trabert has long been committed to helping the homeless, the poor and refugees.

The doctor is the founder and chairman of the Association for Poverty and Health in Germany.

He has repeatedly participated in civilian sea rescue operations for migrants in the Mediterranean.

In the Bundestag election last year, Trabert ran for the Bundestag in the Mainz constituency as a non-party direct candidate of the Left, but he was not elected.

An official presentation of Trabert as a candidate for the office of Federal President is planned for Tuesday.

more on the subject

Esken wants to remain the SPD chairman - is a new dual leadership approaching?

Weil sees Klingbeil as a suitable SPD federal chairman

Application: University presses for approval of monkey experiments

The Federal President is elected by the Federal Assembly, which meets on February 13th.

The Federal Assembly will have 1,472 members - the 736 members of the Bundestag and an equal number of people who send the 16 state parliaments.

dpa