Overview
- The Federal President plans to spend the birthday privately with his family, according to the presidential office.
- He was elected as Germany's 12th head of state in 2017 and secured a second term from the Federal Assembly in 2022.
- His political trajectory spans the SPD since 1975, senior roles under Gerhard Schröder, two stints as foreign minister, and a 2009 chancellor bid.
- As president he has prioritized social cohesion, including regional outreach through his recurring "Ortszeit Deutschland" program.
- His foreign-policy record faces continued scrutiny over past Russia ties, with a 2022 Kyiv visit rebuffed and an admission that backing Nord Stream 2 was a mistake, even as he works to broaden Germany's global relationships.