stories from the future starting february 14th on d, w. ah ah, this is d, w and use live from berlin. germany federal convention gathers to elect the countries president incumbent. frank volter schon meyer has the backing of the governing coalition and looks poise to win a 2nd term, also coming up, living with the threat of war ukrainians rally for unity in the face of russian aggression. the president appeals for com as western nations warn, an invasion may be intimate police failed and truckers protest against pandemic

restrictions. hitting cross border trade between canada and united states, the blockade has sparked copycat demonstrations in several other countries. ah unexposed. you're welcome to the program. and we begin here in berlin, where german president frank walter sean meyer is poised to be re elected for a 2nd term by especially convened body called the federal convention. the role of president is largely but not entirely ceremonial. let's have a look at what this job is all about. it's time to elect the president in germany, the country's highest office, such as who can be german president. there are just 3 requirements. you have to have germans, citizenship, the right to vote in federal elections. and be older than 40. since the federal

republic was founded in 1949, they have been 12 president and 7 since german unification in 1990. the post is only ever been held by men. so what does the german president do? the president represents germany at home and abroad, and concludes treaties with foreign states. they also appoint german envoys and receive foreign dignitaries. the president also proposes a chancellor and after parliament. alexa chancellor, the president officially assigned them and then ministers, their roles. they also have the power to dissolve parliament and laws only come into effect after the president has signed them. they also appoint and dismiss federal judges. have the power to pardon people and would thousands of honors. make it for your 100 or 100 and 5th birthday, and he'll get a special congratulations off the president. the same goes for a couple celebrating that. 65th 70th and 75th wedding anniversaries. heathcliff in brooklyn, at the request of parents, a german president can also act as

a good parent to a family 7 or subsequent child. since 1949 german presidents have become godfathers to more than 81000 children. ultimately, the german president is expected to have a positive impact on society, and many use that christmas address to connect with people at home. most recently, during the pandemic president frank vall, to shine maya called on germans to remain united. the coming term for germany's president looks to be another tumultuous one, with challenges both at home and abroad. and our political correspondent, nina has a, is in the bonus tag where the convention is taking place to tell us more. nina, shy mars re election today is considered certain. what does each stand for? was hung fast stein meyer is 66 years old and he's got a solid background in politics. so he started off with a high ranking profile in the s p d. he was the chief of

a chance. larry under chancellor gerhard schroeder, in the nineties and then he became foreign minister for germany. he knows international leaders, but of course, for the last 5 years he's put aside party politics. and he has focused on his role as president where he sees himself as a bridge builder. so to be specific, for example, he organized a couple of round tables where defenders and opponents of the anti cove. it measures came together because he felt that the debate was not going in the right way that people had stopped talking to each other so that he sees as his role as president to bring people back together. and for the next 5 years, he's already identified the topic of making germany more digital, but not forgetting the ethics about it. so what are the rules he spoken out against hate speech, for example, and digital platforms. ok, and we've been saying that it looks like, i mean it's by all accounts, a done deal. he will be re elected. but the far right alternative for, for germany, the left part in free voters. i've also put forward candidates. why is that?

well, because they have the right to do so, and they say that that is a vital process of a democracy to also have alternative candidates, even if they don't really stand a chance. because frank fight are stein, maya has the backing, not only of the 3 governing parties, but also of the largest opposition group, the conservatives, but nevertheless, and it is important to have of the candidates as well. there is a woman among them so that many people see as a sign that as the office of the presidency should also eventually give be given to a woman. we've never had a female president here in this country. and the most controversial candidate is of course, mike's auto has been appointed by the a f d the far right party. and he is a member of the conservative so many people see that as a sign that the a, if the really want to annoy the conservatives and just looking at who's actually going to be voting. i think this over 1400 people voting parties, nominate celebrities,

and other well known figures to attend the convention. why is that? well, the federal convention is a unique body. it only comes together every convenes once every 5 years and never in the same form. so it consists of all the members of the bundy stock and then all the parties who are here in the bond is to get the same amount of votes again that they can give to other people. people who they feel represent their own values and stand for what they're aiming to fight for in this democracy. so this is essentially a day when gemini celebrates democracy, if you will, because it also includes people from all walks of public life, superstar and football soup, estallion garasco, he had top viral discussed in boston, also the former tons, langler mackerel. so you see that it's a broad spectrum of people and that is the idea behind it to give the people a feeling that the president is really that. and we don't really have many glamorous events where we celebrate democracy. but today is one such day. it is a bit limited because of the anti cove measures that are in place, but still okay,

we look forward to continuing celebrations with you as it all unfolds. nina has a reporting ah, from the bonus tag nearby, thanks very much. the latest diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in ukraine have so far failed to ease tensions. on saturday, the u. s. and russian president spoke for an hour on the phone. afterward. joe barton warned that russia will face swift and severe cause if it invades ukraine. vladimir putin has dismissed us warnings, us hysteria. meanwhile, ukrainians have rallied to support their government, which is calling for calm, even as many foreign nationals leave the country. a shoe of unity and ukraine's capital. the brave faces here, though belie growing fears about her rush, an attack on their country. e. we must, are we afraid would probably yes, i feel the anxiety inside me like others are already plotting their escape if,

because i'm here. so we will try to peel back them evelyn, to prepare all documents, and making plans for their children to wear them countryside, ukrainian forces training near the black sea. these are been warfare exercises, hence at the kind of unrest. they are preparing for president se lensky, however cold for come head to prevail. the best friend for enemies that is benny in our country and all this information that tells only for benny doesn't help us during an hour long phone call on saturday. you as president joe biden warned vladimir putin of swift and severe costs. if russia does invade,

perkins team accused the u. s. of unprecedented hysteria. the u. s. is taught diplomat. antony blinking also spoke with his russian counterpart on our call for mr. lover off said the tub russians are working on a response to the paper that we sent to moscow. more than 2 weeks ago, proposing concrete areas for discussion. it remains to be seen of the fall through on that, but if they do, we'll be ready to engage on sunday contingency plans. timed real u. s. staff at the organization for security and economic cooperation, based in the rebel held city of done nets were packing up and heading home. just the latest group to decide that the risk of all out war is now too great. and for more in the situation, we're going to go live now, did he did use it? nick connelly and keith nick, president biden, and president mac home,

them both called vladimir putin yesterday. what are the people and politicians saying about those talks where you are to the expect anything i think the expectations are fairly low. i think you have to remember that key of has seen the unprecedented flurry of did much activity in recent weeks. seems like barely a day goes past without the president or prime minister, turning up here so much so that volume zalinski had to reschedule a leaders because he just can't fit them all into his schedule. and asking reports to leave the dutch premise to come a day later, so he could meet maurice johnson. so i think the average, ukraine's and even lots of policy makers here are not following this blow by blow. but it's just too much. i think the big takeaway from yesterday was a comment we heard from a criminal adviser saying that putin had complained to joe biden, that the west was not doing enough to pressure you crane into fulfilling the peace process. the deal on that 7 year conflict in his new crane in the way that russia sees it in the way that russia would like it. somebody ukraine thinks would

basically mean a permanent russian veto on ukraine sovereignty. so complaints there from russia, but no sense that this is going anywhere in a hurry. so western leaders or may be coming to cube, but they're telling their nationals in the country to leave the country to those departures, worry ordinary ukrainians. i think they really do, and i think that's news yesterday that the u. s. embassy was during down most with staff that some staff being moved to western ukraine, closer to the borders with the you and nature that really cut through in a way that headlines of the past few weeks. haven't. we've seen the u. s. unbeknown percentage fashion, release intelligence data, talking about russia's plans for false flag operations or other operations that might be stable as ukraine. and great to pretext some kind of intervention that all kind of went over the heads of lots of people who basically would tell you that this was just another blip. another escalation of the kind it seen time and time again over the last few years. but i think that sent to people packing up their bags, leaving the country, trying to get on flights. certain airlines already canceling flights from key of

over here to ground that really has worried people up till now we're trying to get on with the lives. ok, is it abuse? nick connelly reporting for us from the ukrainian capital. keith police have failed to clear a major bridge crossing between the u. s. and canada. it's being blocked by truckers protesting against vaccine rules. police persuaded some drivers to move their vehicles, but they reconvene later. the weekend has also brought a fresh wave of protesters into the canadian capital. ottawa were a core group of truckers continued to occupy the downtown area, taking their outrage blue to the government's doorstep. it's been over 2 weeks now that the freedom convoy has come to the canadian capital altura, the plan to force on vaccinated truck drivers crossing between canada and the u. s . to quarantine spoke the initial rally. but the demonstrators and see the blockade

goes way beyond opposing the rules on inoculations were not yearbook vaccinations, and i can tell you 90 percent of the chargers here are likely vaccinated. but we're here for freedom of choice. more canadians need to wake up and realize that our freedoms are being served the way it is not normally for us to wear mask all day. okay. i'm sick and tired of it. i'm a teacher in the classroom and car david to police could not move the protesters off a border crossing. it's one of the major curry doors into the united states. the blockade has affected trade and travel between the 2 countries. it's also inspired support rallies over the border to buffalo in new york state. and as far away as new zealand in the netherlands truck has

rolled through the hague and thousands of french police were deployed to stop the convoy of freedom from entering paris. oh, but some protesters made it, they took aim at vaccine pulses and president emanuel micron, but also tapped into the discontent over rising prices. up as you know are right, this is our freedoms are violated, but we just have the right to work to spend and to be taxed really does the price of diesel increases, but we told sugar insurance increases everything, increases police clear the streets using tear gas, but this is not end of the protests. the freedom convoys. next stop is the european union's power base in brussels. and before we go, carnival is back on the streets and squares of venice authorities dropped some

pandemic restrictions allowing people to swap surgical mass for traditional 18th century costumes festivities are described as low key is the 1st time there's been any carnival celebration since the start of the koran of ours and you're up to date now up next sunday, w. world stories week in reports is next on next. spicer, thanks for watching interest the global economy for our portfolio. d w. business. beyond here, the closer look at the project. our mission to analyze the fight for market dominance. get a step ahead with the w business beyond on you tube. the battle against cove it the only variant is putting health care systems around the world to the

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