Steinmeier warns against political extremism as Germany marks 36 years of unity in Bremen

Steinmeier defends democracy in final national address

German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivered his final German Unity Day address as head of state in Bremen on 3 October 2026, marking 36 years since the reunification of Germany in 1990. Speaking during a 50-minute keynote ceremony before constitutional organs and state leaders, Steinmeier paid tribute to the peaceful revolution in the former East Germany that ended nearly 41 years of division. He issued direct appeals against political extremism and what he described as insupportable political demagogy, referencing recent state election outcomes where populist forces gained substantial vote shares. Steinmeier, whose second five-year term concludes in March 2027, urged citizens not to permit current frustrations to eclipse democratic achievements.

The first peaceful revolution in Germany, a revolution for freedom and democracy! The challenges of the present must never displace this moment of happiness in German history. Never must we let this moment fall into oblivion. Oblivion would be treason.

Political leadership gathers in Bremen

The official celebrations took place in Bremen, the smallest of Germany's 16 federal states, which hosted the national event because it currently holds the rotating presidency of the Bundesrat. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, cabinet ministers, and state premiers attended the central ecumenical church service and the civic ceremony at the town hall. The multi-day festival, held under the motto 'Viele Stärken - Ein Land', attracted roughly 400,000 visitors to cultural exhibitions, federal state information pavilions, and panel discussions. Bremen Mayor and Bundesrat President Andreas Bovenschulte expressed strong satisfaction with the public turnout across the city center.

Citizen delegations and civic engagement

The celebrations included formal citizen delegations comprising eight socially engaged individuals invited from each of the 16 federal states. Among the delegates was Svenja Böning, the 33-year-old managing director of Hoppenbank, a Bremen organization supporting convicted and unhoused individuals. Böning met with Steinmeier, Merz, and Bovenschulte during the festivities, discussing federal targets to end homelessness by 2030. Böning observed that Steinmeier engaged extensively with almost every delegate, whereas Chancellor Merz maintained a more cautious posture when discussing the government's response to prevailing social and political challenges.

Security operations and isolated protest clashes

Security operations for the three-day festival involved approximately 4,000 personnel drawn from Bremen, other federal states, and federal police agencies. Bremen Interior Senator Eva Högl confirmed that the gathering concluded safely despite operational strain created by hosting the country's full political leadership in one location. Police reported one significant incident on Saturday during a registered demonstration against militarism and warmongering, where protesters burned a German national flag. When officers intervened to verify identities, demonstrators attacked them with flagpoles, injuring four police officers slightly before security forces dissolved the rally and detained several participants.

We had not only a joyful, but also a safe festival. We celebrated our German unity this weekend, peace, freedom, and democracy.