"It's the best Germany we ever had" says German president Gauck in farewell speech
Record ID:
164746
"It's the best Germany we ever had" says German president Gauck in farewell speech
- Title: "It's the best Germany we ever had" says German president Gauck in farewell speech
- Date: 18th January 2017
- Summary: AUDIENCE APPLAUDING GAUCK WALKING UP TO MICROPHONE AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, JOACHIM GAUCK, SAYING: "It is - I did believe it then and I do believe it now - the best, the most democratic Germany that we ever had. But if I think of generations to come then I wish for them to have the courage to tackle current challenges in a way that this country remains such a liveable place. And preferably without some of the flaws that we have now." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT, JOACHIM GAUCK, SAYING: "Germany - in fact the whole of the European Union - can look on and try to limit the damage. Or Germany as a strong and responsible partner in the Union could show more of a will to take part in shaping the big picture. We could, no, we have to do more. We need to do more - in collaboration with others - to keep order, prevent conflict, defuse crisis and discourage opponents. It also means: We have to do more to stabilize the European Union and work against the in- and external threats of separation." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING GAUCK WALKING OFF STAGE AND SITTING DOWN
- Embargoed: 1st February 2017 12:42
- Keywords: president Gauck speech farewell
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0035ZLYGCN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:German president Joachim Gauck on Wednesday (January 18) called his country "the best, the most democratic" there ever was. In his farewell speech before leaving office in March this year the Gauck also urged future generations of Germans to protect democracy.
"I wish for them to have the courage to tackle current challenges in a way that this country remains such a liveable place. And preferably without some of the flaws that we have now," Gauck said in Berlin.
A new president, expected widely to be Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is to be elected on Feb. 12 to the largely ceremonial post now held by Gauck, a Lutheran pastor who made his mark as an anti-communist leader in the former East Germany. Steinmeier, a social democrat is currently serving as Germany's foreign minister.
Gauck's term expires in March, six months before Germany holds a parliamentary election.
The president is not directly elected by the people, but rather by the Federal Convention, an assembly of members of the federal parliament and delegates from state parliaments. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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