German Foreign Minister Steinmeier to run for chancellor next year: reports

Published Saturday September 6th, 2008

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BERLIN - German news media say Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be the Social Democratic party's candidate for chancellor in 2009.

Der Spiegel magazine and the Berlin newspaper Berliner Zeitung said on their websites Steinmeier's candidacy will be announced at a scheduled party meeting Sunday.

Representatives for the Social Democrats did not respond to phone calls seeking comment Saturday night.

The Social Democrats are partners in the coalition government led by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merkel leads the Christian Democrats.

The news reports say the Social Democrats chose Steinmeier on Saturday as their candidate over party leader Kurt Beck. Beck's popularity has dropped, while Steinmeier's remains high.

Please Log In or Register FREE

You are currently not logged into this site. Please log in or register for a FREE ONE Account.

Logged in visitors may comment on articles, enter contests, manage home delivery holds and much more online. Your ONE Account grants you access to features and content across the entire CanadaEast Network of sites.