Politics · Germany · 3 hrs ago
Joachim Gauck criticises Elif Eralp and urges courage from German government
Former German president Joachim Gauck criticised Left Party politician Elif Eralp during a televised discussion on Maybrit Illner.
He said that if she was afraid, she should find people to support her, though the discussion’s context is not explained.
Gauck also urged Germany’s governing coalition, made up of the CDU and SPD, to act with courage and make reforms.
He argued that political divisions were delaying decisions needed to protect Germany’s economy.
He linked AfD gains in eastern Germany partly to politicians failing to listen closely enough to voters.
Gauck also called for more support for Ukraine over winter and said European countries could defend themselves without relying entirely on the United States.
Former German president Joachim Gauck urged the federal government to make difficult reform decisions and show more courage.
Speaking on the television programme Maybrit Illner, he said Germany needed fundamental reforms to protect its economic position.
Gauck criticised Elif Eralp over remarks about fear, saying he had no understanding for her fear.
He linked the AfD’s recent electoral gains in eastern Germany partly to poor communication between politicians and voters.
He also called for more support for Ukraine over the winter and said Europe could defend itself without the United States.
- Who
- Former German president Joachim Gauck criticised Elif Eralp and called on the federal government to act.
- What
- Gauck urged the government to make difficult decisions on reforms. He also criticised Eralp over remarks about fear.
- When
- Thursday evening; the article was published on 30 October 2026.
- Where
- On the television programme Maybrit Illner in Germany.
- Why
- Gauck said Germany needed fundamental reforms to protect its economy and that political leaders should show courage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gauck appeared on Maybrit Illner and urged the federal government to make necessary decisions.
Gauck called for support for Ukraine over the winter, including generators and help from Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief.
- Programme
- Maybrit Illner
- Appearance
- Thursday evening
- Economic argument
- Gauck called for fundamental reforms to protect Germany’s economic position.
- Ukraine support
- About 300 municipalities in Germany have partnerships with Ukrainian cities.
- European security
- Gauck said Europe could defend itself without the United States.
What people are saying
Mut!
Politicians with courage are rare.
There we need more closeness and more listening, clearly.
We need this alliance of democracies to be closer.