Federal President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier said that “firewalls” are essential to protect democracy from its enemies. Speaking to the weekly “Zeit”, he warned that the attempt to tame extremists by granting them power failed in the Weimar Republic, and that democracy will not emerge victorious from a partnership with its foes. “When we rely on collaboration with those who undermine it, democracy cannot win” he remarked, and therefore he supports setting up barriers against extremist influence.
In the context of discussions about a possible ban on the AfD, Steinmeier urged that the tools of a disciplined democracy be demonstrated and, where necessary, employed. He added that the option of a party ban must remain “the final resort in the arsenal of the constitutional democracy”.
He also called for a social‑media ban for minors. “Under the age of 14 – yes – there should be a restriction” Steinmeier said. The lack of regulation, he argued, endangers social cohesion and democracy. “This is particularly problematic for children and adolescents who encounter violent imagery, pornography, and manipulative content that can harm their personal development”. He described himself as “utterly stunned” by the hate, ridicule, and violence that proliferate on these platforms.
Addressing the broader mood of discontent in the country, Steinmeier said, “I am concerned by our petty complaints and the self‑induced sense of impending doom. That is why I deliberately state: I am proud of our country. It is not a given that, amid this global turbulence of war, injustice and nefarious actors, we have retained our decency, inner strength, and moral compass”.
His second term as president ends on 18 March 2027, after which he is ineligible for re‑election. “I hope that after my departure people will say that I was someone who took his responsibility seriously, who bore the cross of protecting liberal democracy, and who managed to bring people and opinions together” he told “Zeit”.