Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Original: Steffen Prößdorf; Derivative work: Nagae Iku · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Caption	Steinmeier in 2022
Office	President of Germany
Term start	19 March 2017
Chancellor	Angela Merkel, Olaf Scholz
Predecessor	Joachim Gauck
Office2	Vice Chancellor of Germany
Term start2	21 November 2007
Term end2	27 October 2009
Chancellor2	Angela Merkel
Predecessor2	Franz Müntefering
Successor2	Guido Westerwelle
Office3	Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Term start3	17 December 2013
Term end3	27 January 2017
Chancellor3	Angela Merkel
Predecessor3	Guido Westerwelle
Successor3	Sigmar Gabriel
Term start4	22 November 2005
Term end4	27 October 2009
Chancellor4	Angela Merkel
Predecessor4	Joschka Fischer
Successor4	Guido Westerwelle
Party	Social Democratic Party
Birth date	5 January 1956
Birth place	Detmold, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany
Spouse	Elke Büdenbender
Alma mater	University of Giessen
Religion	Lutheranism

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a German politician serving as the President of Germany since 2017. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany, he previously served as Vice Chancellor of Germany and twice as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs under Chancellor Angela Merkel. His tenure has been marked by a focus on European cohesion, transatlantic relations, and democratic resilience.

Early life and education

Born in Detmold, North Rhine-Westphalia, he grew up in Schieder-Schwalenberg in the Lippe region. His father was a carpenter and his mother worked in a factory. After completing his Abitur at the Gymnasium in Blomberg, he performed alternative civilian service, avoiding conscription into the Bundeswehr. He studied law and political science at the University of Giessen, where he earned his doctorate in 1991 with a thesis on the role of the state in preventing homelessness. During his studies, he was active in the Socialist German Student Union.

Political career

Steinmeier's political career began in the Lower Saxony state chancellery under Minister-President Gerhard Schröder. Following Schröder's election as Chancellor of Germany in 1998, Steinmeier moved to the Federal Chancellery in Bonn, later Berlin, serving as Chief of Staff. He played a key role in shaping the Agenda 2010 reforms. In 2005, Chancellor Angela Merkel appointed him Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and, in 2007, Vice Chancellor of Germany in her first grand coalition. During this period, he was involved in international diplomacy regarding Iran's nuclear program and the 2008 South Ossetia war. After a period in opposition, he returned as Foreign Minister in Merkel's third cabinet in 2013, advocating for a diplomatic resolution to the War in Donbas and maintaining dialogue with Vladimir Putin.

Presidency

Elected by the Federal Convention in 2017 and re-elected in 2022, his presidency has focused on constitutional and ceremonial duties while using the office's moral authority. He has been a vocal advocate for the European Union, strengthening ties with France and supporting Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. He has emphasized the dangers of right-wing extremism, notably speaking at commemorations for victims of the Hanau shootings and the 2019 Halle synagogue shooting. His speeches often address historical responsibility, drawing lessons from Nazi Germany and the German Democratic Republic.

Political positions and public image

Steinmeier is considered a pragmatic centrist within the Social Democratic Party of Germany, with a strong commitment to Atlanticism and European integration. As Foreign Minister, he was associated with the policy of Wandel durch Handel ("change through trade"). His stance evolved after the invasion of Ukraine, acknowledging policy misjudgments regarding Russia. He is a proponent of a robust NATO alliance and deepened cooperation within the European Union. His public image is that of a steady, consensus-oriented figure, often described as a "president of all Germans." He maintains respect across the political spectrum, from the Christian Democratic Union of Germany to Alliance 90/The Greens.

Personal life

He is married to Elke Büdenbender, a judge at the Federal Administrative Court, whom he met at the University of Giessen. They have one daughter. In 2010, he underwent a successful kidney transplant, with his wife donating the organ. An avid football fan, he supports SC Paderborn 07. He is a member of the Protestant Church in Germany and resides at the official presidential residence, Schloss Bellevue in Berlin.

Category:Presidents of Germany Category:Social Democratic Party of Germany politicians Category:1956 births Category:Living people