Berlin: Billed as Germany’s “anti-Trump”, centre-left former foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected on Sunday as the new ceremonial head of state. The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper judged that Steinmeier looks set to be “the anti-Trump president”. A policy wonk by nature, Steinmeier served as advisor and then chief of staff to Merkel’s predecessor, the SPD’s Gerhard Schroeder. In 2009, Steinmeier ran against Merkel and lost badly, only to return years later to serve in her cabinet. “It is hardly surprising that Steinmeier has branded himself as the essential anti-Trump,” he added.

Source: Mint February 12, 2017 14:27 UTC