German government, opposition agree on new president

Seattle Post Intelligencer ^ | February 19, 2012 | AP

[wolf78]

BERLIN (AP) – Germany's government and the two major opposition parties said Sunday they would jointly nominate former East German human rights activist Joachim Gauck to be the country's next president.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said her center-right coalition government, and the center-left opposition rallied behind the Gauck, who was initially proposed by the opposition Social Democrats and Greens.

[wolf78]

Two years ago the CDU (Christian Democrats, center-right) nominated Christian Wulff. For Merkel this was a way to neutralize a potential rival within the party. The Green party the came up with a ploy. Together with the SPD (Social Democrats, center-left) they nominated Joachim Gauck: A protestant pastor from the East and (moderately) conservative anti-communist activist, a preferable candidate for many conservative and value voters over the milquetoast Wulff.

After Wulff resigned over a bribery scandal the FDP (Free Democrats, libertarian), part of Merkel's coalition, joined the opposition in calling for Gauck this time, so Merkel's CDU had to acquiesce.

[cartan]

At last!

[Revolting cat!]

How sweet it must be to be able to kick a bastard out and not have to wait 4 years!