ALL OF GERMANY’S major political parties have backed the nomination of veteran human rights activist Joachim Gauck for the country’s presidency, following the resignation of former president Christian Wulff last week.
Gauck was proposed by the Social Democrats and Greens after Wulff quit over a corruption scandal, the BBC reports. Former president Wulff came under intense pressure recently after details of a dubious home loan started to emerge.
Wulff’s resignation last Friday came after prosecutors called for his immunity to be lifted, and claimed to have “factual indications” of improper ties to business executives.
Former nomination
In 2010, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel opposed Gauck’s nomination for the presidency – and instead gave her support to Wulff.
Gauk, 72, is an East German Lutheran pastor and human rights activist, who describes himself as a “conservative from the liberal left”, reports The Local. He is known for his work as a dissident in East Germany, and on keeping files on the Statsi secret police.
With the backing of all the major parties, Gauck’s election next month is expected to be a formality. Although the German president’s role is largely ceremonial, it is nevertheless influential.
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