Photo Gallery Civil rights Activist About to Become German President
Joachim Gauck, 72, the former pastor and civil rights activist about to become Germany's next president, wants to reinvigorate the nation with his passion for freedom and democracy. His emotional, at times unguarded rhetoric will liven up German politics -- but could backfire if he isn't careful.
Fellow eastern German Chancellor Angela Merkel had tried to prevent Gauck's nomination for the presidency, arguing that he was unsuitable because he was too narrowly focused on his mantra of freedom. But Philipp Rösler, the leader of the Free Democratic Party, the junior partner in her center-right coalition, forced her to back him.
Foto: Jörg Carstensen/ picture alliance / dpa
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