It seems that figureheads are at best a distraction. Politics has to be divisive, because different social groups have opposing interests.
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Could the Eurovision Song Contest be used as a formula to select powerless presidents? Only that the competitors should be humorists, not singers. Portugal could offer a very nice german-descendant comedian.
In what sense? Köhler was definitely a poor choice from my hard-left point of view, but he is very popular in Germany: the last poll saw 85% approval, I think. Even from my perspective, the damage he did was limited, with no influence on actual decisions and switching to more left-friendly populism in his speeches more recently. Prior German presidents were very widely popular, too. I myself rather liked Richard von Weizsäcker (President 1984-1994), despite coming from the CDU. Hungary also has a similar system, and the Presidents topped politician approval rate lists most of the time (myself, I liked the first, detested the second, am currently so-so about the third who is the incumbent). *Traitor*, n. A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.
For example, in Portugal, we have had as most proeminent presidents the two most active former prime-ministers. When they do arrive to presidency, they take a much more relaxed attitude. Too much relaxed.
Why is that? I do not know for certain, but I bet on the posture they have to assume as presidential candidates - which is basically a two party system. A presidential campaign is, among other things, a training camp for the candidates to "let go" their personal beliefs.
French presidential campaigns are something else.
Portuguese presidents do have some real powers, rarely used. Namely the power to throw down government and simultaneously order general elections. This has happened once - considering only the period after the 1974 revolution -, 3 years ago. They cannot veto laws, only demand a confirmation from parliament, or question proposed law's compatibility to the constitution, which will be decided by a council of judges (Constitutional Court).
Id est, to behave as a political figure, instead of someone above (or post-) politics.
