New heads, new momentum - this equation is known from football.
It has also been shown on the pitch that this is less of an equation and more of a hope.
Substitutions at half-time are a good idea if you're behind.
That cannot be said of Federal President Steinmeier.
The social democrat has just been elected head of state for another five years.
Of course it wasn't.
You first have to manage to become the only candidate for the larger parties, i.e. to win over the new traffic light coalition as well as the largest opposition in advance, although no woman has ever held the highest office.
So Steinmeier campaigned successfully with his extensive PR team.
It had long been known in the office that his previous state secretary and his spokeswoman would not be renewing.
It came as a surprise that Steinmeier not only made his previous office manager the head of the office, but also what she said right away: "A little less protocol, a little more risk and even more willingness to engage in controversy." The new one State Secretary sees herself as a "driver", as someone "who takes more risks".
Steinmeier would therefore have dared and risked too little up to now.
The question arises as to whether these are actually the right categories for the office of Federal President.
Steinmeier was the midwife of the grand coalition, sometimes found clear words and thus did justice to his role as a full-time uncomfortable admonisher and warner.
He hasn't risked anything with it - apparently not even his re-election.
Should the head of state dare something that the chancellor lacks?
However, that is not his job, even if the President determines most of it himself.
So if Steinmeier thinks the country is too lame, then he should be happy to provide momentum - personally and on the pitch.