Political leader Steinmeier issues alert over potential harm to Europe due to populist influences.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed worry about the European Union's potential harm due to the rise of populist victories in the European elections. He expressed concern over the rise of eurosceptic populists in countries like France, Austria, and even Germany, during an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk during a trip to Weiden.
Steinmeier warned that if major European countries in the heart of the continent display signs of dissolution or dissolution tendencies, it's not entirely harmless for Europe. He further emphasized that the election results in Germany and France are cause for worry.
Steinmeier also acknowledged the need for political action in Germany. He noted the contrast in election results east and west of the Elbe. However, he cautioned against constant predictions of the nation's collapse in times of ongoing crises. Instead, politics should focus on meeting the population's needs and simply staying present.
Regarding the Corona crisis, Steinmeier believed young people didn't vote for right-wing parties due to the crisis, but rather due to long-term effects of individual measures that disproportionately impacted them, such as lockdowns, school closures, and limited social interactions. He suggested that the political blame game might be unwarranted in this case. However, Steinmeier was adamant that the long-term effects of such measures on young people have been underestimated.
