German President Steinmeier Urges Active Resistance Against Extremism on November 9

On November 9, 2025, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on citizens to actively oppose extremism, particularly rising right-wing forces threatening democracy in Germany. Speaking at a commemoration event held at Schloss Bellevue, Steinmeier emphasized the symbolic weight of November 9, a date that reflects both the triumphs of democracy and the darkest moments of tyranny in German history, including the Nazi pogrom night of 1938, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the founding of the republic in 1918.

Steinmeier warned that democracy and freedom in Germany are currently endangered by growing right-wing extremism gaining public support. He urged politicians and civil society alike to not wait passively for these threats to subside but to engage robustly in their opposition. The president explicitly stated that no political collaboration should occur with extremist groups, implicitly referencing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He asserted that cooperation with such groups in government or parliamentary settings is unacceptable.

Regarding potential measures against extremist parties, Steinmeier mentioned that banning such parties could be considered a last resort to defend democratic resilience, pending thorough evaluation of the conditions warranting such action. He further highlighted the broader context of Germany needing to defend itself against acts of aggression, specifically pointing to Russia's disruption of the European peace order.

The AfD responded critically to Steinmeier’s speech. Politician Björn Baumann accused the president of misusing his office on this historically significant day by equating the party with Nazi perpetrators, thereby politicizing the remembrance.

Steinmeier’s remarks, delivered on a day of great historical significance blending democratic victory and tragic violence, reflect ongoing tensions within Germany’s political landscape concerning the rise of right-wing extremism and the imperative to uphold democratic values against these threats.