Germany's representative head of state, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, slammed the US administration for starting the Iran war. DW's Max Hofmann analyzes the remark's impact on relations with Washington.
The German president holds a largely ceremonial role that allows more freedom for criticism compared with other politicians in the nation. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also raised concerns about the war but emphasized maintaining relations with the U.S.
Merz is a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union of Germany.
But Steinmeier, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party, called the war a “politically disastrous mistake” that had irrevocably harmed transatlantic relations.
Merz later said he supported Iranian regime change at the hands of the U.S. and Israel.
Following a meeting with the German chancellor at the White House last week, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Germany has “been great” and levied criticism toward other European allies, including the U.K. and Spain.
Unfortunately just a figurehead and their actual leader is all about staying on usa good side
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5798457-germany-frank-walter-steinmeier-us-iran-conflict-breach-international-law/