Federal President Steinmeier Regrets Controversial Comment on ‘Caliber Experts’: Criticism and Defenses in the Aftermath

In the aftermath of his controversial statement about “caliber experts” in the debate about aid to Ukraine, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has expressed regret and self-criticism. The Federal President’s Office reported that Steinmeier was “annoyed by his formulation in retrospect,” especially because he did not want to further escalate the already contentious issue.

In recent days, Steinmeier has made self-critical remarks about his comments on military experts, which were criticized by politicians from the CDU, Greens, and FDP. They accused him of not fulfilling his role as Federal President and ridiculing experts for political gain during an election campaign.

Despite criticism from some politicians and experts, there are voices within the SPD who defend Steinmeier. Ralf Stegner and other members of the party defended him against accusations that he questioned their peace, détente, and Eastern policy. However, some experts such as Jan Claas Behrends remain critical of Steinmeier’s behavior and the SPD’s Russia policy.

Overall, this debate highlights divisions within political parties and raises concerns about Steinmeier’s impartiality and role in contentious discussions related to foreign policy issues.