Steinmeier loses in the dragon boat – laughing despite defeat in Neuruppin!

Steinmeier loses in the dragon boat – laughing despite defeat in Neuruppin!

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Neuruppin on July 1, 2025, where he fought an exciting dragon boat duel on Lake Ruppiner. Despite the committed efforts of his team, he narrowly had to admit defeat to the crew of Neuruppin Mayor Nico Ruhle (SPD). Steinmeier accepted his defeat with a smile and the comment “As expected”. It was part of his three-day stay in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin region, which falls into the “local time in Germany” series. The initiative aims to promote dialogue between citizens and politicians and to experience local developments up close. This was the 16th event of this kind for the President, who is clearly interested in local issues.

His program didn't just include the dragon boat race. Steinmeier also visited a canoe club, where he was able to look over the shoulders of the athletes, and is also planning a citizens' dialogue in order to interact directly with the residents. These activities are part of a broader goal to learn more about the challenges and opportunities that exist in the different regions of Germany.

Insights into the region

Steinmeier's commitment is particularly important because Neuruppin and the surrounding Ostprignitz-Ruppin have undergone remarkable change in recent years. The city, like many other places in Germany, has mastered economic challenges and reinvented itself. As part of his “local time in Germany” trip, Steinmeier will also be in other cities such as Delitzsch, where he will monitor local economic development and infrastructural changes. Among other things, there is also a visit to a planned large-scale research center, which is intended to contribute to strengthening the regional economy and is aimed at structural change in the region.

In addition to the sporting activities and citizen dialogues, Steinmeier will also exchange ideas with committed people and representatives of the authorities in order to make their perspectives on the development of the region audible. The impressions collected from Neuruppin and the surrounding area could not only be important for the president, but also help the region strengthen its own voice in the German debate.

Overall, Steinmeier's visit shows that a close connection between politics and society is essential in order to actively shape the future of our cities. The dragon boat competition will probably go down in the history of this “Local Time Germany” series as a beautiful and entertaining start to his stay.