The Local Germany

German President Steinmeier to run for second term

Fri, 28 May 2021 16:58:58 +0200

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday he will stand for a second five-year term in the largely ceremonial role, seen as providing a kind of moral compass for the country.

US presidents hail Kohl as 'one of the greatest'

Sat, 17 Jun 2017 11:01:09 +0200

US leaders mourned the death of Helmut Kohl on Friday, praising his role in the reunification of Germany, with former president George H.W. Bush calling him "one of the greatest leaders in post-War Europe."

Steinmeier takes over from Gauck as Germany's President

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:45:51 +0100

It was no presidential weather in Berlin, but grey and wet. However the old and new Heads of State were in good spirits as the German Presidency was officially handed over on Sunday.

Germany's new President - who he is and what he does

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 10:28:31 +0100

As Germany gets a new President-elect, we've put together a guide on the new man and his new job.

Coalition backs 'anti-Trump' to be new German president

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:14:50 +0100

Germany's ruling coalition has backed Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the country's next president, party sources said Monday, paving the way for a sharp critic of Donald Trump to become head of state.

Merkel's coalition at odds over next presidential candidate

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 10:18:54 +0100

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition partners appeared more divided than ever on Sunday in their search for a joint candidate to be Germany's next president, highlighting the tensions between the parties ahead of next year's general election.

Who will be Germany’s next President?

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:16:08 +0200

Germany’s well-loved President, Joachim Gauck, announced on Monday he will not stand for renomination in 2017. Some of the most famous names in German politics are being discussed as potential successors.

President calls time despite 'touching' urges to stay

Mon, 06 Jun 2016 14:24:54 +0200

The highest elected official in the land, President Joachim Gauck, said on Monday he will not run for a second term due to the encroaching weathers of time.

German president's partner warned him off new term: Bild

Sat, 04 Jun 2016 14:26:03 +0200

Germany's 76-year-old president Joachim Gauck will not run for a second term next year because of health concerns and his age, the Bild newspaper said on Saturday.

Would Bernie Sanders be electable in Germany?

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:11:05 +0100

US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said recently that in Germany his ideas would not be considered "radical". But how German are his policies really?

First president of reunited Germany dies

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 15:46:28 +0100

Former German president Richard von Weizsäcker, hailed for his moral leadership in post-war Germany, has died, the president's office said Saturday. He was 94.

President: UN Security Council needs reform

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 16:58:00 +0100

Germany's president called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to include more members and to "reflect the realities of the world today", during a visit to India on Thursday.

Gauck 'cannot afford to be vague on Russia'

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 16:38:00 +0100

President Joachim Gauck is not being clear enough in his decision to boycott the Sochi Winter Olympics. As a citizen he can afford a lack of clarity, but as head of state he cannot, the Tagesspiegel's Stephan-Andreas Casdorff argues.

Ex-president's 'favours' trial begins

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 09:11:00 +0100

The trial of Germany's former president Christian Wulff opened on Thursday. He is accused of accepting financial favours in 2008 while he was state premier of Lower Saxony, but some say he is the victim of a media witch hunt.

'He can flirt like you wouldn't believe'

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 16:21:00 +0200

Joachim Gauck was a popular figure even before he was selected as German President. Now a biography promises to show a new angle to the pastor, human rights activist and revolutionary. He is our German of the Week.

Former first lady sues over red light rumours

Sat, 08 Sep 2012 14:22:00 +0200

Bettina Wulff, the wife of German ex-president Christian Wulff, is suing a TV moderator and Google for helping spread rumours about her life before her marriage.

Ex-president 'hid' prize money in private account

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 17:58:00 +0200

Former President Christian Wulff has been accused of putting prize money destined for charity into his personal bank account – and not declaring it. Prosecutors are considering whether to start proceedings against him.

Gauck 'cannot meet all expectations'

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:44:00 +0100

New German president Joachim Gauck tried to dampen the huge expectations Germans have for him - and despite one hysterical headline, newspapers agreed he cannot be all things to all people. The Local’s media roundup surveys opinion.

Activist pastor takes office as president

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:49:00 +0100

Activist pastor Joachim Gauck took office as German president on Monday morning after being elected by an overwhelming majority, marking the first time someone from the former communist east acts as head of state.

Vuvuzelas mar Wulff's farewell ceremony

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:21:00 +0100

Vuvuzela-wielding protestors kept up a constant barrage of noise at a torchlit military ceremony on Thursday for Germany's former President Christian Wulff who left office under a cloud.