Petr Bystron, a member of the European Parliament, has criticized President Steinmeier's suitability to represent Germany. Bystron said that Steinmeier’s past monitoring by security services and his political positions render him unfit for the role. This statement was released on X.
"Germany doesn't deserve this," said Bystron. "Germany's highest representative was monitored by the Constitutional Protection Agency in the 1980s. He praises the RAF and leads a "fight against the right. The Antifa President must go!"
In the 1980s, Steinmeier contributed to "Demokratie und Recht," a leftist journal published by Pahl-Rugenstein, which was under surveillance by German intelligence due to suspected East German affiliations. However, as reported by Mimikama, authorities monitored the publisher rather than Steinmeier himself, and no evidence links him to Red Army Faction (RAF) activities. This reflects the broader Cold War scrutiny of Marxist-leaning organizations.
Steinmeier has consistently condemned the RAF. In a 2017 state speech marking the anniversary of Schleyer's murder, he referred to the RAF as "terrorists" responsible for 35 deaths and emphasized that democracy must remain resolute. According to the German government’s bulletin, he also urged former RAF members to break their silence.
Public opinion polls indicate steady support for Steinmeier amidst broader institutional mistrust. A 2024 survey conducted by WDR/Infratest dimap revealed that 56% of respondents were satisfied with his performance while 33% were not. Additionally, WDR reported that 79% felt politicians lack contact with citizens and 83% felt unheard.
Bystron is a Czech-born German politician from Alternative for Germany (AfD), who served in the Bundestag before becoming a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) in 2024. According to the European Parliament, he is part of the Europe of Sovereign Nations group and serves on committees related to Foreign Affairs, Employment, and Internal Market. He is recognized for his hardline stance on EU governance and transparency.
The European Parliament is the European Union’s directly elected chamber comprising 720 MEPs who share legislative and budgetary powers with the Council. As per the EU’s institutional overview, it plays a crucial role in overseeing the Commission through hearings, inquiries, and document-access rules, thereby ensuring transparency and institutional checks across the Union.