[REVISION HISTORY]

Hape Kerkeling German presidency candidacy discussion

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What changed

2026-10-13 16:07 UTC → 2026-10-21 14:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A public petition organized by Campact has called for entertainer and comedian Hape Kerkeling to run for German President as a non-partisan candidate to foster social cohesion. As of mid-September 2026, the petition had gathered over 144,000 signatures, with Kerkeling expressing uncertainty and stating, ‘I don’t have an answer to that yet.’ By October 2026, the petition grew to approximately 154,000 signatures. Kerkeling, who remains undecided, noted that given current global events, he “closes nothing more out” or “excludes nothing anymore.” He has also acknowledged the practical difficulties of such a path, noting that a successful candidacy would likely require support from the CDU. The movement seeks a figure capable of fostering cohesion ahead of the January 30, 2027, election, which follows the end of Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s second term. Kerkeling has noted that while he takes the petition initiative seriously, he views the resulting public debate as beneficial for a free society. Throughout this period, Kerkeling has ~~also~~ been vocal regarding German politics, expressing concern over the electoral success of the AfD and advocating for democratic values. During a keynote speech at the Talisman Prize ceremony in Frankfurt, he issued a warning against the rise of right-wing populism, criticizing the use of “gutter jargon” by extremists and cautioning that such rhetoric is how fascism begins. He has specifically called for mandatory social media moderation to combat online hate speech and incitement, noting that he has personally faced hostility and death threats following his political stances.

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