Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of nine stories surrounding current events of different cultures at Niles West as a part of International Week.
Earlier this week, Germany’s previous foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected as the new President of Germany. Although the role of president is not quite as powerful as Chancellor in Germany, the election of Steinmeier could have meaningful effects on not just Europe, but America as well.
Steinmeier is an outspoken critic of American president Donald Trump, and because of his history in dealing with foreign affairs, it can be assumed that he will try to intervene with some of Trump’s more controversial policies. In one of his speeches, Steinmeier criticized Trump for “mak[ing] politics with fear.”
Niles West German Teacher Josef Neumayer has recognized Steinmeier’s dislike for America’s current president.
“He’s not a fan of Trump and has spoken out against Trump’s policies during his candidacy,” Neumayer said of Steinmeier.
Steinmeier won the presidency by a landslide. Unlike American elections that are open to everyone, the German special assembly’s 630 members elected Steinmeier as president.
The most influential political leader in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel, supports Steinmeier and the assembly’s decision to elect him.
Junior Jacqueline Karp is enrolled in German, she takes part in German club, and her family is of Germany. She has not heard much about the new president, but she admires the aspects of German culture she has experienced when she visited with her family.
“My mom’s family is from Germany and she has cousins there, so my family has visited there a lot,” Karp said. “This summer, I’m going there for the exchange program, and I’m very excited. I have been taking German since freshman year, and I am currently secretary of German club. I love Germany; the culture there is so interesting, and I love learning about it. Even though I haven’t learned much about Frank Steinmeier, I’m excited to find out about the impact he will make in the country in the coming years.”
Steinmeier will take office on Sunday, March 19, 2017.
