SPD defies Merkel with presidential nominee / Berlin disarray as SPD names its own presidential candidate

Germany’s Social Democrats, junior partner in Angela Merkel’s coalition, on nominated on the 26 May 2008 their own candidate for the 2009 presidential election in a show of defiance against the Chancellor. Gesine Schwan is the Social Democrats' choice to fill the ceremonial president's office.

Deutsche Welle, 26.5.08: German Presidential Contender Causes Coalition Strain http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3360306,00.html

Deutsche Welle, 22.5.08: German President Koehler to Run for Second Term in 2009 http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3352981,00.html

Wikipedia: Gesine Schwan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gesine_Schwan

Deutsche Welle, 27.5.08: Presidency Dispute Deepens Rift in Merkel's Coalition http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3361359,00.html

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