German special assembly elects Frank-Walter Steinmeier as president

German special assembly elected Frank-Walter Steinmeier as President of the Federal Republic of Germany on the 12 February 2017.

The former SPD foreign minister in the grand coalition would take office on 18 March 2017.

The special assembly consisted of the 630 parliamentarians in the Bundestag, the lower legislature, and an equal number of representatives from Germany's 16 federal states.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Grand coalition parties agree on Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the German presidency http://www.europeansources.info/record/grand-coalition-parties-agree-on-frank-walter-steinmeier-for-the-german-presidency/

Politico, 12.02.17: Frank-Walter Steinmeier elected president of Germany http://www.politico.eu/article/frank-walter-steinmeier-elected-president-of-germany/

The Guardian, 12.02.17: Centre-left Frank-Walter Steinmeier elected president of Germany https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/12/frank-walter-steinmeier-elected-germany-president-donald-trump-critic-

EurActiv, 13.02.17: Germany elects ‘anti-Trump’ Steinmeier as president http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/germany-elects-anti-trump-steinmeier-as-president/

European Council: Statement, 12.02.17: Letter of congratulations from President Donald Tusk to Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his appointment as President of the Federal Republic of Germany http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/02/12-tusk-congratulations-president-germany-steinmeier/

The Conversation, 14.02.17: A new president and a chance for Germany to face its demons https://theconversation.com/a-new-president-and-a-chance-for-germany-to-face-its-demons-72891

Deutsche Welle, 19.03.17: Frank-Walter Steinmeier assumes office as German president http://dw.com/p/2ZVll

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