President Steinmeier spoke out against discrimination targeting citizens of immigrant origin. "This country belongs to everyone who legitimately lives here," he said.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made statements about migration and integration ahead of the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Steinmeier emphasized the need for a clear stance against "racist ideology" at the opening of a panel held at his temporary office in Berlin.

Steinmeier stated that Germany must reject anyone who "dreams of a radical withdrawal from the world." He used the expressions, "As a country, we need immigration. If we want to be functional, we need immigration." Steinmeier said, "There are no first or second-class citizens," adding that the Constitution's definition of "the German people" also includes Germans who arrived later.

The German President emphasized that the Constitution does not recognize "a community of people consisting of the same blood." He also noted that it does not foresee any privileges for those referred to as "biological Germans." Steinmeier said, "What makes us German is not just the origin of our grandparents or the blood in our veins. What makes us German is citizenship, whether acquired by birth or naturalization, it is the language we share, the desire for peaceful coexistence in freedom, and the Constitution on which we stand."

Although Steinmeier did not directly target the AfD, he stated that his remarks were perceived as a criticism of the party's anti-immigration stance. He expressed that Germany should not be dragged into a polarization of "us against them." However, he added that problems must be discussed openly, concerns taken seriously, and solutions sought "with an open heart and a clear stance."

President Steinmeier reiterated that Germany needs immigration for hospitals, nursing homes, care facilities, and large parts of the private economy. He acknowledged that immigration can be "demanding" for established citizens and municipalities. However, he added that immigration also restores strength when local firms find good employees and engineers.

The President's panel titled "Home in Germany. How Do We Live Together?" was the first event held at his temporary office in Berlin due to renovation work at Bellevue Palace.