Overview
- In a 9 November address at Schloss Bellevue, the president called the situation the gravest for democracy since reunification, citing Russian aggression and rising right‑wing extremism.
- He urged parties and citizens to refuse cooperation with extremists in government or parliaments and said a party ban is the ultima ratio that must be carefully examined.
- Steinmeier pressed the democratic center to pair brandmauer pledges with clear distance from extremist rhetoric and to present convincing policies, including on migration and security.
- The AfD, though not named in the speech, accused Steinmeier of misusing his office, with leaders Tino Chrupalla, Alice Weidel and Bernd Baumann denouncing his remarks.
- Constitutional commentators, citing Federal Constitutional Court precedent and experts such as Joachim Wieland, said the president is permitted broad public warnings about threats to the democratic order.