Christmas speech by the Federal President: Steinmeier requires hope | EUROtoday

As of: December 24, 2025 12:01 a.m

In his Christmas speech, Federal President Steinmeier appeals to the individuals of Germany to see the sunshine within the darkness. He encourages society in Germany to be brave.

For Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Christmas brings a time of hope and confidence. The pageant is “above all the message: In the darkness a light shines,” mentioned Steinmeier in his Christmas speech, which will likely be proven on tv on December twenty fifth.

Darkness contains all the pieces “that oppresses each and every one of us” or “what frightens us as a society,” equivalent to sicknesses, crises and wars, mentioned Steinmeier. The mild, in flip, stands for “what always gives us hope despite everything.”

According to Steinmeier, the world could be a lot poorer with out Christmas. “It makes our lives more expectant, happier, warmer, more confident. With such confidence we have the strength to stand up for our world and for our fellow human beings.” This applies to politics on a big scale and to the numerous small initiatives all through the nation. “Nothing good is too small that it can’t make the world a little brighter.”

President encourages dialogue

Steinmeier additionally prompt making an attempt to have open discussions. “This can illuminate and give direction to the path ahead,” he mentioned. “If we look for orientation and goals together with others, we can gain a lot,” he mentioned, “if we let others have their say with genuine interest and not just bother them with what we ourselves have always considered to be right.”

Community can also be essential: “The bonds that give us support are just as important as those that hold us accountable.”

Europe ought to replicate on values

With a view to the conflict in Ukraine and its finish, Steinmeier emphasised that it was essential “that we as Europeans become aware of our strength and our values ​​together and act accordingly.” Over many centuries, Europe has realized how essential and indispensable freedom and human dignity, simply peace and democratic self-determination are. “We won’t give that up, not for ourselves, not for our partners and friends.”

Most individuals adopted the continuing talks for a peace resolution in Ukraine “with expectation,” however “also with skepticism and concern.” The Federal President additionally referred to as for additional solidarity with the individuals in Ukraine, “against whom Russia has been waging war for almost four years.”

The speech will likely be held on Christmas Day within the ARD and broadcast on ZDF. It is the final Christmas speech from Bellevue Palace in the interim. The Federal President’s official residence in Berlin will likely be extensively renovated beginning subsequent yr and won’t be prepared for occupancy till 2031. In the meantime, the pinnacle of state resides in a contemporary interim constructing.

https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/steinmeier-weihnachtsansprache-120.html