Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has classified the war against Iran as a “politically fatal mistake” and “contrary to international law”. A massive misstep for FOCUS online chief correspondent Ulrich Reitz.
Steinmeier’s Iran statement: He becomes a “political hype boxer”
Reitz makes it clear: Steinmeier has become one Contrary to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor and thus made himself a “political hype boxer”. “He has far exceeded his official authority and the idea of being a federal president. It was a throwback to the old days as foreign minister, which, by the way, were not good.”
“Argument without history” and harsh criticism
The reaction of the Union faction shows that the statements are causing a political earthquake. The chairman of the CSU regional group, Alexander Hoffmann, raised the question of whether international law should not become a protective clause for a terrorist regime, thereby diametrically contradicting the Federal President.
However, according to Reitz, the harshest and completely justified criticism comes from the Central Council of Jews: Steinmeier’s argument is without history. Reitz reminds us that the mullahs’ regime has been pursuing the goal of wiping Israel off the map and killing Jews since 1979.
In addition, as a former foreign minister, Steinmeier misunderstands the essence of diplomacy. The essence of foreign policy is not pure truth, but rather the “clausalization of truth in order to maintain political relationships”. Publicly accusing one’s closest ally and reason of state of violating international law causes great damage.
Turning away from the USA is “politically irresponsible”
Reitz particularly sharply criticized Steinmeier’s demand that Germany break away from its dependence on the Americans. Germany is objectively dependent on the USA in two essential points:
- Military protection: The Americans protect Germany with their nuclear weapons stationed here.
- Internal security: German authorities essentially rely on tips from American and Israeli secret services to warn of Islamist terrorist attacks.
Recommending a “decoupling” of America, as Steinmeier is doing, runs counter to German security interests and is “politically irresponsible.”
“Plea for the abolition of the office of Federal President”
The conclusion of the chief correspondent is correspondingly drastic: The way Steinmeier behaved here is “overall a plea for the abolition of the office of Federal President”. Germany has long been mature enough to master its fate without a “replacement emperor”.





