Köhler mourns the loss of deceased Federal President: An heir remains!

Köhler mourns the loss of deceased Federal President: An heir remains!

Horst Köhler, the former Federal President of Germany, died at the weekend. Köhler, who was in office from 2004 to 2010, left lasting impressions, especially due to his speeches in the Speyer Kaiserdom. He took part in his last sermon, which took place on March 14, 2024 as part of the Fasting Sermon series "im Pulse", with a deep understanding of European affairs and global challenges. This sermon dealt with the biblical story from the tower building to Babel and addressed the need for cooperation between different nations.

In the Preliminary Sermon, which he held, there was a particular focus on geopolitical tensions and the importance of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Köhler also called for further development into a European defense union. The liturgical direction had cathedral dean Dr. Christoph Kohl in, and the musical accompaniment was taken over by cathedral organist Markus Eichenlaub. The fasting sermons in the Speyer Cathedral can look back on a long tradition that extends to the 5th century and aims to proclaim the faith in a contemporary way.

Fasting sermons and Köhlers concerns

In a written interview before his last sermon, Köhler expressed his concern about the strengthening right -wing populism in Europe, which he regarded as a serious threat to freedom and democracy. This right -wing populist upswing is not a rare phenomenon; The political landscape in Europe has changed significantly in recent years. The influence of right -wing parties, such as the FPÖ in Austria and the AfD in Germany, is growing and questions the foundations of democratic stock security.

Köhler himself was a passionate advocate of a common European future and often opposed populist currents. His commitment to a strong partnership between Europe and Africa distinguished him as well as his commitment to sustainable international politics. In his “European speech” held in Speyer in 2012, he appealed to the audience to honor the European agreement.

The legacy of Köhler and the challenges of Europe

The political developments of recent years show how right -wing populist and right -wing extremists in Europe gain influence. From 2025, the FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl could act as a chancellor in Austria, while the AfD in Germany could be 20% of the votes, according to forecasts for the 2025 federal election. In Italy, Giorgia Meloni aims at constitutional reform, while in the Netherlands Geert Wilders forms a government. These developments remind you to vigilance.

Horst Köhler's plea for European unification and its growing concern regarding the democratic challenges are now in focus. His legacy, which can be shaped by the numerous speeches and the engagements he has funded, remains of great importance in the light of current political upheavals. The cathedral chapter in Speyer has already announced that another fasting sermon series will take place in the Kaiserdom in 2025, to keep the ideas and values ​​for which Köhler was committed to alive.