Advertisement

German president Steinmeier 'greatly relieved' at US change of power

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
German president Steinmeier 'greatly relieved' at US change of power
American President-elect Joe Biden on January 19th 2020. Photo: DPA

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed relief that Joe Biden was replacing Donald Trump as US president on Wednesday, calling it a "good day for democracy".

Advertisement

"I am greatly relieved that Joe Biden will be inaugurated as president today and move into the White House," the head of state said.

"I know this feeling is shared by many people in Germany."

Steinmeier said America's institutions had proven their strength in the face of "great tests" and "hostility" during Trump's term.

He said the transfer of power to Biden brought with it "the hope that the international community can work together more closely and better in future to solve the great problems of our time". 

Advertisement

He said Germany looked forward "to knowing we again have the US at our side as an indispensable partner" in addressing "the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, security issues, arms control and disarmament, and many urgent conflicts around the world".

READ ALSO: What could Joe Biden as US President mean for Germany?

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Photo: DPA

Even "differences of opinion" would not be allowed to "separate us, but rather lead us to look even harder for shared solutions", he added.

However Steinmeier warned that "despite the joy of this day", the last four years had shown that "populism also seduced the most powerful democracy in the world".

"We must resolutely stand up to polarisation, protect and strengthen our democracies' public sphere and make policy on the basis of reason and facts," he said.

Steinmeier extended his "best wishes" to Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris "for their great and difficult tasks" ahead, saying he hoped to welcome them soon to Germany. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

[email protected] 2021/01/20 18:58
'Birds of a feather' I say. Full steam ahead with Crony-Capitalism. <br />Doesn't anyone remember how Biden gloated about how he withheld Billions $in aid to the Ukraine unless a prosecuter was fired for investigating a company for corruption, in which his son, Hunter was on the Board.

See Also