Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Report: German Coalition Agrees on Steinmeier as President

by Associated Press

   BERLIN --

   The parties making up Germany's coalition government are reported to
   have agreed to support the foreign minister becoming the country's next
   president.

   Frank-Walter Steinmeier would take over the largely ceremonial role as
   head of state from Joachim Gauck, whose five-year term ends in
   February.

   German news agency dpa reported Monday that Chancellor Angela Merkel's
   conservative Union bloc would back Steinmeier for the post.

   The 60-year-old Social Democrat is among Germany's most popular
   politicians. While normally studiously diplomatic, Steinmeier strongly
   criticized U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during the election
   campaign, describing him as one of the world's "hate preachers."

   Steinmeier's promotion to Germany's highest office would leave a void
   in the foreign ministry, where he led efforts to resolve conflicts in
   Ukraine and Syria.

   A possible replacement there hasn't been announced.