Presidential election 2022: Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains in office – and warns Putin

Created: 02/14/2022, 04:57

By: Ines Alberti, Lucas Maier, Alina Schroeder

Today the Federal Assembly elected a Federal President.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains in office with a large majority.

The developments here in the ticker.

• The Federal President* was elected today by the Federal Assembly*.

• The incumbent head of state, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), won the presidential election and prevailed against his opponents.

• In his subsequent speech, Federal President Steinmeier becomes clear and warns Russian President Vladimir Putin*.

+++ 5:06 p.m .:

With a clear majority of 1045 votes, Frank-Walter Steinmeier won the federal presidential election and will remain in office for the next five years.

He was nominated by the traffic light parties SPD, Greens and FDP as well as by the CDU/CSU opposition.

The 66-year-old, who is leaving his SPD party affiliation as head of state, has been President of the Federal Republic of Germany since 2017.

As expected, the candidates of the other parties had no chance.

The left-wing physician Gerhard Trabert (65) received 96 votes, the AfD-nominated CDU politician Max Otte (57) received 140 votes.

58 delegates voted for the physicist Stefanie Gebauer (41), who was sent to the polls by the Free Voters.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains Federal President of Germany.

He wins the election with a clear majority.

© Christophe Gateau/dpa

After winning the presidential election: Steinmeier spoke in clear words

After the results were announced, Steinmeier stepped in front of the delegates and thanked them for their trust.

He also used the opportunity to talk about the current Ukraine conflict.

In his speech, he addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others, in clear words and clearly gave him responsibility for the escalation.

He also sent a warning to Russia's head of state: "Don't underestimate the power of democracy," Steinmeier said.

Putin should rather "untie the noose around Ukraine's neck" and seek a way that preserves peace in Europe.

The NATO partners in Eastern Europe could rely on Germany's support.

At the same time, the re-elected Federal President promised that he would not avoid dealing with radical opponents of the Corona policy.

"As Federal President, I will not shy away from controversy, democracy needs controversy," he said.

The pandemic left deep wounds in society, and he now wants to help heal them.

The members of the Federal Assembly met on Sunday afternoon (February 13, 2022) in the Paul-Löbe-Haus in Berlin to cast their vote.

1472 delegates were entitled to vote, including members of the German Bundestag and an equal number of members who sent the 16 state parliaments.

The list of voters also included celebrities such as national coach Hansi Flick, footballer Leon Goretzka, musician Roland Kaiser and scientist and astronaut Alexander Gerst.

Ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, who received long applause before the election, was also there.

In addition, more than 70 replacements came into play - among other things because delegates with positive corona tests dropped out.

Chancellor Scholz congratulates Steinmeier on the election of the Federal President

+++ 3:22 p.m .:

The live ticker for the federal presidential election has ended.

+++ 15:13:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also congratulates Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his re-election.

He is able to give the country an orientation, not only with regard to the corona situation, but also to securing peace.

According to Scholz, Steinmeier is the right Federal President at the right time.

Presidential election: Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains in office

+++ 2.55 p.m .:

After accepting the election, Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a speech to the delegates in the Paul Löbe House.

He thanks those who voted for him for the trust they have placed in him and asks for the trust of those who did not vote for him.

Steinmeier also uses the opportunity to draw attention to the Ukraine crisis.

He regrets the constant threat of war arising from the military conflict in Eastern Europe.

For Steinmeier, however, there is only one person responsible for this: Russia.

He also sends a clear warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin: "Don't underestimate the power of democracy," he said, to the great applause of the delegates.

The most important thing now is to look for a way that preserves peace in Europe.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier remains Federal President of Germany.

He wins the election with a clear majority.

© Britta Pedersen/dpa

He also talks about the corona pandemic.

This has left deep wounds in the country and he now wants to help heal it.

"Let's do it together.

I'm looking forward to what lies ahead of us" - this is how Steinmeier ended his speech at the election for the Federal President.

+++ 2:26 p.m .:

The result of the federal presidential election is available.

As President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas announced, Frank-Walter Steinmeier will remain President of Germany.

He has a total of 1045 votes.

+++ 2:12 p.m .:

The interruption for counting the votes is currently being used to conduct discussions and interviews.

Although left-wing candidate Gerhard Trabert's chances in the presidential election are very slim, he was "grateful for this trust and the opportunity." When asked whether he felt instrumentalized by the party for the election, he clearly denied.

Rather, he sees it as an opportunity to make a difference and, above all, to be able to draw attention to poverty and homelessness in Germany.

Presidential election 2022: First ballot completed – Otte hopes to remain in the CDU party

+++ 1.40 p.m .:

The reading of the names for the first ballot is complete.

As the President of the Bundestag Bärbel Bas announced, all eligible voters have now cast their votes.

The counting begins and the session is suspended for at least 45 minutes.

The first ballot of the federal presidential election is over.

The votes are counted.

© Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

+++ 1.20 p.m .:

Max Otte (CDU), candidate for the AfD, is confronted with his candidacy for another party in an interview with the broadcaster Phönix.

Otte is of the opinion that the CDU should have put up an opposing candidate instead of pledging their support for Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

However, his candidacy for the AfD could mean that he will soon be expelled from the party.

However, Otte pointed out that this had not yet been decided.

"I'm a party friend, I hope I'll stay that way," he said.

In an interview, SPD leader Lars Klingbeil again emphasized Frank-Walter Steinmeier's suitability.

It's about electing a "Federal President who can hold the country together." Steinmeier could see to that.

Eligible voters enter voting booths for the Federal Presidential election

+++ 1:09 p.m .:

In the Paul-Löbe-Haus there is a lot of activity on several floors.

The reading is almost halfway through and is currently at the letter "L".

Some eligible voters who have already cast their votes have now returned to their seats.

Ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) talks to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) during the presidential election.

© Kay Nietfeld/dpa

+++ 12.50 p.m .:

While the individual names of those entitled to vote are called for the first ballot, many of those present have risen from their chairs to hold discussions with each other, including ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).

A total of 1472 names are read out.

+++

The federal presidential election is officially opened.

Gradually, those eligible to vote are read out in alphabetical order, who then enter the polling booths and cast their votes.

Presidential election live: President of the Bundestag opens the meeting

+++ 12.00 p.m .:

It starts.

The 17th Federal Assembly has gathered in the Paul-Löbe-Haus.

Various political actors will now give their speeches.

The 2022 federal presidential election will be opened by Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD).

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is apparently given around six minutes of speaking time.

Those entitled to vote in the 2022 federal presidential election cast their votes in the Paul-Löbe-Haus - including Angela Merkel (CDU), Christian Lindner (FDP), Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Markus Söder (CSU).

© Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

+++ 11.09 a.m .:

In the 2022 federal presidential election, the 3G rule and FFP2 mask requirement applies to everyone, because elections in Corona times are known to be more complex.

The 1,472 delegates are distributed over five levels in the Paul-Löbe-Haus, and the chairs are always spaced one and a half meters apart.

Each parliamentary group will have a hall where delegates can follow the election on screens.

Before the election, renovation work was necessary.

The foyer on the ground floor had to be adapted to the rest of the room and a floor had to be installed.

Glitz, glamor and the formation of small groups are therefore not possible during the pandemic.

You have to limit it to “what is necessary”, explains Katja Mast from the SPD to Deutschlandfunk – and what is necessary is the election of the Federal President.

Mast herself cannot take part in the election because she has a corona case in the family.

 Presidential election: Steinmeier should be "the advocate of people who are in a difficult situation".

+++ 10.20 a.m .:

The path to the Federal Assembly and thus to the 2022 Presidential election is paved.

Parties, politicians and those interested in politics are still gathering in the Paul-Löbe-Haus, a building belonging to the Bundestag.

Despite Frank Walter-Steinmeier's high probability of winning, the Linke and AfD presented their own candidates.

Janine Wissler, one of the party leaders of the Left Party, commented positively on the federal presidential election: With the nomination of Gerhard Trabert, the party did not want to send a signal against Steinmeier, but rather a signal for issues such as the health system, care and homelessness.

Wissler said that in an interview with Phoenix.

Wissler only had limited criticism of Steinmeier during his tenure as Federal President, for the future she would like the Federal President to be more visible.

Steinmeier should also act as a "lawyer for people who are in a difficult situation," said the left leader.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier before the federal presidential election in 2022 – he is the second most popular federal president in Germany.

© Britta Pedersen/dpa

Presidential election: Which head of state do Germans like best?

+++ 9.29 a.m .:

This Sunday (February 13, 2022), the Federal Assembly will meet to re-elect a Federal President.

Germany's representative will probably continue to be Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

But which Federal President ruled best for the Germans?

T-Online asked this question together with an opinion research institute and received the following answer: Richard von Weizsäcker (CDU), Federal President from 1984 to 1994, made it to the top by a wide margin.

He received 37 percent of the votes.

This was followed by Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) with 14 percent and Joachim Gauck (independent) with twelve percent.

Steinmeier ruled from February 12, 2017 to date - and probably beyond.

Weizsäcker was also elected to a second term of office.

At the bottom of the list are Christian Wulff (CDU), who resigned in 2012, with two percent and Karl Carstens (CDU) with one percent.

**T-Online: “The precise question asked in the survey, which was representative of the population, was: 'In your opinion, who is or was the best Federal President?'

Civey surveyed 5,033 adult German citizens online between February 10 and 11, 2022.

The data is representative due to quotations and weightings, taking into account the statistical error of 2.5 percentage points."

Presidential election 2022: This is how the election Sunday goes

Update from Sunday, February 13th, 2022, 7:25 a.m .:

On Sunday afternoon, the Federal President will be elected.

So far, there are signs that the incumbent Federal President, Frank Walter-Steinmeier, will be re-elected.

If the

is based on the last election in 2017, the following

can be expected:

• Approx. 09.00 a.m.:

  First live streams begin on site

• 12:00 p.m .:

  Live stream of the Bundestag begins

• Approx. 12.45/1 p.m.:

  Voting begins

• Approx. 2:15 p.m.:

  Voting completed/evaluation begins

• Approx. 3 p.m.:

  Result

• In the evening hours:

  Interview with the newly elected or re-elected Federal President

Both the presence of media representatives from 9 a.m. and the live stream of the Bundestag have already been announced.

So you can follow the election of the Federal President live on TV and in the live stream*.

Presidential election: SPD calls for Frank Walter-Steinmeier to be re-elected in 2022

+++ 3.40 p.m .:

One day before the Federal Assembly, the SPD called for President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to be re-elected.

The German Press Agency (dpa) reports on this.

"This re-election means the continuity of a very, very good administration," said party leader Saskia Esken on Saturday (February 12, 2022) before a parliamentary group meeting in Berlin.

In view of the many crises, the country needs this continuity.

Lars Klingbeil underlined Steinmeier's competence.

“We live in polarized times and I fear that this polarization will not decrease in the next few years.

The Federal President needs someone who is able to build bridges, who is able to bring people together, who is also able to find a language that holds the country together and unites it.

We have this person in Frank-Walter Steinmeier,” said the SPD party leader.

The 2022 presidential election will take place in the Paul-Löbe-Haus (right) on the Spree in Berlin.

© Ingo Schulz/Imago

Presidential election 2022 live: Steinmeier appears with SPD and Union

Update from Saturday, February 12th, 2022, 7.46 a.m .:

Frank-Walter Steinmeier will appear again at the SPD and CDU/CSU parties the day before the 2022 federal presidential election.

The parties come together for final preparatory meetings.

Steinmeier's re-election is supported by the SDP, CDU/CSU, Greens and FDP.

In the Federal Assembly, these parties make up 1,223 of the 1,472 members, which means that Steinmeier's second term in office is already assured.

The current incumbent made his appearance with the Greens on Friday evening (February 11, 2022) in an online conference.

After that, the faction leaders Britta Haßelmann and Katharina Dröge spoke highly of him: "Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a very good and highly respected Federal President".

They went on to say that they therefore recommend their electors in the Federal Assembly to “re-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Federal President”.

The left and AfD also meet with their candidates on Saturday.

Doctor Gerhard Trabert is running for the left.

For the AfD it is economist Max Otte.

There will also be further parliamentary group meetings on Sunday before the start of the Federal Assembly.

Presidential election: Which celebrities will have a say in 2022

+++ 7.34 p.m .:

On Sunday (February 13th, 2022) not only the parties in the Bundestag can decide who will become the new Federal President.

Celebrities will also have the choice between Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), Gerhard Trabert (non-party, nominated by Die Linke), Max Otte (CDU, nominated by AfD) and Stefanie Gebauer (free voters).

The parties in the German Bundestag decide who is allowed to have a say.

These celebrities are eligible voters*:

• Dietmar Bär (Known as Freddy from "Tatort*")

• Dieter Nuhr (cabaret artist)

• Bernd Stelter (comedian)

• Hennes Bender (comedian)

• Christian Drosten* (Director of the Institute for Virology at the Berlin Charité)

• Marylyn Addo (Infectious Diseases)

• Sandra Ciesek (virologist)

• Özlem Türeci (co-founder of the Mainz-based vaccine developer Biontech*)

• Christian Karagiannidis (President of the German Society for Internal Intensive Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine)

• Gernot Marx (President of the German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine)

• Roland Kaiser (singer)

• Igor Levit (star pianist)

• Klaas Heufer circulation (TV presenter)

• Leon Goretzka (professional soccer player)

• Kristina Vogel (cyclist)

• Britta Steffen (professional swimmer)

• Jana Majunke (cyclist)

• Angela Merkel (Ex-Chancellor)

• Alexander Gerst (astronaut)

• and much more

Presidential election in Berlin: Federal Assembly convenes in 2022

Update from Friday, February 11th, 2022, 3:34 p.m .:

In the election for the Federal President on Sunday, February 13, 2022, incumbent Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) has good prospects of being re-elected.

His two opponents, Gerhard Trabert (non-party, nominated by Die Linke), Max Otte (CDU, nominated by AfD) and the candidate Stefanie Gebauer (free voters) are only given slim chances.

The opinion research institute Civey, on behalf of the Augsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, has now taken the upcoming election as an opportunity to ask the population how satisfied they are with Steinmeier as Federal President.

However, the result is anything but clear: 55 percent of those questioned stated that they were satisfied with their work.

However, 31 percent rate his first term negatively and 14 percent are undecided.

There are clear differences in the survey on Frank-Walter Steinmeier as Federal President* depending on the age group.

Presidential election: Three candidates and one female candidate will run on Sunday (February 13, 2022).

First report from Friday, February 11th, 2022:

Berlin – This Sunday (February 13th, 2022) it will be decided who will be Germany’s Federal President for the next five years.

This time, the Federal Assembly votes between three candidates for the election of the Federal President.

However, a re-election of the incumbent head of state Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) is considered likely.

In addition to Steinmeier, his opponents are Gerhard Trabert (non-party, nominated by Die Linke), Max Otte (CDU*, nominated by AfD) and Stefanie Gebauer (free voters).

The SPD, CDU/CSU*, Greens* and FDP* have not put forward any candidates of their own, but support Steinmeier for a second term.

A total of 1472 people cast their votes, including members of the federal and state parliaments as well as various eligible voters from different areas of society.

Because of the corona pandemic*, the Federal Assembly does not meet in the plenary hall of the Reichstag building as usual, but in the neighboring Paul-Löbe-Haus.

The delegates are spread over several rooms and floors and should be able to keep a distance of 1.5 meters.

Presidential election 2022: Will Frank-Walter Steinmeier be re-elected?

In the last federal presidential election in 2017, the Federal Assembly made a clear decision in the first ballot: Frank-Walter Steinmeier received 74.3 percent of the votes and thus a clear absolute majority.

At that time, as now, the SPD, Union, Greens and FDP had pledged their support to the former Federal Foreign Minister.

The Left Party, AfD, Free Voters, the Pirate Party and Die PARTEI nominated their own candidates, but they hardly stood a chance.

This is how the Federal Assembly voted in 2017:

Current developments in the Federal Assembly, initial forecasts and projections* as well as the result* of the federal presidential election can be found here in the live ticker.

(Ines Alberti)