Joachim Gauck was a pastor. He accompanied the peaceful revolution in 1989 in the GDR. And he was Federal President. One of his clearest sentences concerned the refugee situation in Germany: “We want to help. Our hearts are wide. But our options are finite.”

Iran War: Joachim Gauck sees “tear through myself”

It is astonishing how clearly and concisely the 86-year-old comments on the world situation. How does he view the Iran war? Gauck admits: “There’s a rift going through me. I see the hurting of the people in Iran, and I think it’s appropriate that they should be helped from outside.”

The former Federal President is also concerned with international law. The fact that the USA is massively falling back on military power and that international law is being restricted – “that is depressing”. According to Gauck, we are “unlucky with this president”. He means America, he means Trump. “There is a temptation to take the easy way out and not respect international law.”

Gauck groans and shakes his head indignantly

“Caren Miosga” is also about Germany and the high fuel prices. They are a consequence of the Iran war. Gauck groans and shakes his head. “Because the price of fuel has risen to over two euros, should we now choose strong words?” he asks rhetorically.

“This is regulars’ table.” People in this country probably see it differently. Gauck obviously doesn’t care about that. Instead, he raises a larger issue. Gauck criticizes our attitude. Or our mindset, as we would say today. How does he see Europe?

“He’s a well-fed man with a little beer belly. But he used to be an athlete.” The former Federal President is harsh on Europe: “We live in an obese state of impotence. We look on kindly and think that the world will be okay again.”

“Listen, dude, that’s enough!”

Gauck also says: “I’m glad I’m not sitting in the German Bundestag.” In the ARD studio as an ex-pastor, as an ex-revolutionary, as an ex-federal president, he can speak clearly. It would be nice if more people did that.

When Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) last visited US President Donald Trump, he visibly held back. Gauck says what Merz actually wanted or should have said was: “Listen, dude, that’s enough!” been. All subjunctive, of course. Would Gauck have acted like this as Chancellor?