The president was elected with a giant majority by a particular meeting made up of the members of parliament’s decrease home and representatives of Germany’s 16 states.

Steinmeier had been endorsed by most mainstream political events forward of the election for the largely ceremonial head of state.

“My accountability is for all of the individuals who reside in our nation. Non-partisan, sure — however I’m not impartial in terms of the reason for democracy. Whoever fights for democracy can have me on his aspect. Whoever assaults it can have me as an opponent,” Steinmeier stated in a speech to the particular meeting after accepting his election.

In response to the escalating disaster on the border of Ukraine the place Russia has massed nicely over 100,000 troops, Steinmeier warned that “we’re within the midst of the hazard of a navy battle, a conflict in Japanese Europe — Russia bears the accountability for this.”

“Russia’s troop buildup can’t be misunderstood. It’s a menace to Ukraine and it’s presupposed to be one,” he added. “However the folks there have a proper to reside with out concern and menace, to self-determination and sovereignty. No nation on the planet has the fitting to destroy that — and whoever tries to take action, we are going to reply you decisively.”

The re-elected president vowed that he would proceed to work on strengthening democracy in Germany and assist take away fears of the long run, giving the nation’s residents the arrogance to deal with the challenges forward. He additionally vowed to assist heal wounds created by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Allow us to not underestimate the energy of democracy. However allow us to additionally not underestimate the challenges it faces,” Steinmeier stated. “Opponents of democracy, from with out and inside, are sowing doubts throughout this pandemic about our means to behave and our establishments, about free science and free media.”

However, Steinmeier careworn, “the decisive breakthrough within the struggle towards the pandemic, the event of the vaccine in report time — that was achieved right here, in free science, due to good researchers and brave entrepreneurs … in Germany, with our companions in Europe and the USA.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Steinmeier, saying that “he has proven that he is able to speak on to the folks, to make sure solidarity in our society, but in addition to supply steering.”

“That’s what we’d like proper now with all of the challenges we’re experiencing with regard to the pandemic, but in addition, in fact, with regard to securing peace in Europe. He’s the fitting president at precisely the fitting time,” Scholz stated.

Earlier than first turning into president in 2017, Steinmeier, 66, served two stints as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s international minister and earlier was chief of workers to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Germany’s president has little govt energy however is taken into account an necessary ethical authority. After a messy parliamentary election end in 2017, Steinmeier helped prod politicians to kind a brand new coalition authorities somewhat than holding out for a brand new vote.