Steinmeiers Symbolpolitik im Integrationsbereich
Steinmaier’s Symbol Politics in the Field of Integration

Summary/Abstract: For historical reasons the German Federal President has, in contrast to his U.S., French, Turkish or Russian counterparts, considerably limited political powers. Thus, symbolic political means like presidential speeches, invitations, official receptions or visits seem to be practically the remaining possibilities for him to exert some political influence into German politics. Nonetheless, the sophisticated usage of these few symbolic instruments give the president some opportunities to co-shape German real politics, to give new impetus to the immigration organizations, to support the integration of migrants and to struggle against right-wing extremism as well. This article discusses both symbolic and real political powers of president Steinmeier and the interconnectedness between both of them.

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