The wrong man in the highest office

And again Frank-Walter Steinmeier has caused irritation in Ukraine. The Federal President was supposed to meet the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Kyiv on Thursday – but then canceled at short notice due to security concerns.

There is no doubt that the security situation in the Ukrainian capital is volatile as a result of Russian attacks. But that doesn't stop representatives of other states from personally showing solidarity with the country; on Thursday, for example, the Swiss President visited Selenskyj.

This is not the only reason why Steinmeier's withdrawal, which was sharply criticized by the Union, leaves the impression of a strange indecisiveness. After all, the head of state was not wanted in Kyiv in the spring because of his contribution to Germany's involvement with Russia - from his time as Social Democratic head of the chancellery and foreign minister. It would have been all the more important to travel there as soon as possible.

The visit should be rescheduled soon. However, the rejection is an example of what is called tone-deaf in English and characterizes Steinmeier's administration: Even after five and a half years, the highest representative of the Federal Republic of Germany seems to have hardly developed any sense of how to carry out his office in a dignified manner.

The situation in Iran also reminds us of this: Steinmeier appeals to Tehran to stop the violence against the protest movement - what else? Nevertheless, the call seems strangely stale when you think back to his congratulatory telegram to the regime on the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in 2019. Although, of course, even then it was oppressing women according to Sharia law, striving for the annihilation of Israel and executing homosexuals. It got even more embarrassing the following year when Steinmeier wanted to forego congratulations on the national holiday – but they accidentally went out.

The President has recently attracted the most attention with another misstep: he had himself photographed during a train journey without a corona mask – despite the FFP2 obligation. According to the spokeswoman, he only did this for a video statement and a photo.

Of course, the immediate impression was that the President is not doing what is expected of the citizens. Even if he asked for "understanding" that he had not worn a mask for 40 seconds: In times when the Corona policy has led to worrying withdrawal movements from democracy, the incident is an incomprehensible negligence.

Such mishaps are not so serious, otherwise Steinmeier managed to show presidential format. But even there: none. His brand essence seems to be profileless Sunday speeches. He hardly shaped social debates, let alone initiated them. Unlike his predecessor Joachim Gauck, who, contrary to Merkel's line, addressed the finiteness of the possibilities of helping refugees - or provocatively outlined right-wing extremist activities with the term "dark Germany".

On October 28, Steinmeier – whose second term of office is scheduled to run until March 18, 2027 – wants to give a speech entitled “Strengthening everything that unites us”. It would be good if he managed to offer the population orientation during the worst crisis in post-war Germany.

But it would be unrealistic to expect that from a man who has looked more like Bellevue's manager for the past five years. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the wrong man in the highest office.

"Kick-off Politics" is WELT's daily news podcast. The most important topic analyzed by WELT editors and the dates of the day. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, among others, or directly via RSS feed.