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Germany president: Steinmeier chosen by lawmakers | Germany president: Steinmeier chosen by lawmakers |
(35 minutes later) | |
Former German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected president by a parliamentary assembly. | Former German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected president by a parliamentary assembly. |
The Social Democrat, 61, is one of Germany's most popular politicians. | |
The post is largely ceremonial, but the president represents Germany abroad and is seen as carrying moral weight. | The post is largely ceremonial, but the president represents Germany abroad and is seen as carrying moral weight. |
During the US election campaign, the usually circumspect ex-lawyer described Donald Trump as a "hate preacher" and predicted more challenging relations with Washington. | |
He has also criticised those who "make politics with fear", and spoken out against right-wing populism. | |
'Straight-talking' | |
Mr Steinmeier was chosen by the Federal Assembly meeting in parliament in Berlin. | Mr Steinmeier was chosen by the Federal Assembly meeting in parliament in Berlin. |
He won 931 out of 1,260 votes. | |
Lawmakers and representatives from various social fields delegated by Germany's 16 states are represented in the assembly. | |
Electors include Joachim Loew, the national football coach, and Olivia Jones, a colourful drag queen sent to vote by the Green Party in Lower Saxony. | |
Mr Steinmeier, who takes up the job on 19 March, held the post of foreign minister twice for a total of eight years. | |
Both terms were served under Chancellor Angela Merkel in grand coalitions of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. | Both terms were served under Chancellor Angela Merkel in grand coalitions of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. |
In 2009, he stood unsuccessfully against Mrs Merkel in the federal election. | In 2009, he stood unsuccessfully against Mrs Merkel in the federal election. |
Mr Steinmeier is seen as straight-talking, and as foreign minister was widely respected for taking a strong stance on issues important to German voters, the BBC's Damien McGuinness reports from Berlin. | |
Many expect he will work to support Germany's reputation as global defender of tolerant liberal values, our correspondent adds. | |
Mr Steinmeier's election to the presidency is seen as a boost by the Social Democrats as they seek to unseat Mrs Merkel in September's federal elections. | Mr Steinmeier's election to the presidency is seen as a boost by the Social Democrats as they seek to unseat Mrs Merkel in September's federal elections. |
The current post-holder, President Joachim Gauck, decided against bidding for a second five-year term due to his age - 77. | The current post-holder, President Joachim Gauck, decided against bidding for a second five-year term due to his age - 77. |
Mr Gauck is a former Lutheran pastor and civil rights activist in the former East Germany. | Mr Gauck is a former Lutheran pastor and civil rights activist in the former East Germany. |
Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats failed to find their own candidate for the presidency, and agreed to back Mr Steinmeier for president. | |
Other candidates included Christoph Butterwegge from the opposition Left Party, and Albrecht Glaser from the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany. | Other candidates included Christoph Butterwegge from the opposition Left Party, and Albrecht Glaser from the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany. |