Hurray, we've got a new president!

[Tom62]

BERLIN - Joachim Gauck, a former anti-Communist human rights activist in East Germany who is set to become the next German president, is a moral authority to be reckoned with.

Gauck, who has been called Germany's answer to Nelson Mandela, was one of a number of Protestant pastors who helped bring down the communist East German regime, setting the stage for the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification in 1990.

The 72-year old, who is married and has four children, ran the state-run archives on the Stasi after reunification and earned recognition for exposing the crimes of the dreaded East German secret police.

Even after his retirement in 2000, the author of many books continued his campaign for human rights. His new book, "Freedom — A plea", hits stores nationwide on Monday.

Perhaps Gauck's very moral gravitas is one reason Chancellor Angela Merkel passed over him in 2010 for the presidency, before being pressured into nominating him on Sunday - he is a formidable rival for Germans' affections. Already two years ago and despite Merkel's opposition, he was the public's firm favourite for the presidency. Media across the political divide backed him, with mass-selling daily Bild running a picture of him on its front page next to the headline "Yes we Gauck" — a twist on the U.S. President Barack Obama's campaign slogan "Yes we can". Gauck also presents a stark contrast to outgoing President Christiaan Wulff, a regional career politician who resigned on Friday in a scandal over political and financial favours.

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/02/19/former-rights-activist-gauck-to-become-german-president

[The Magic Pudding]

Do your presidents matter much?
We have a Governor General who represents the queen but is pretty insignificant in the scheme of things.

The President of Germany is the head of state of Germany. The official title in German is Bundespräsident ("Federal President"), although a female president would be referred to as Bundespräsidentin. Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial. Nevertheless the president has some important "reserve powers" in case of political instability (such as those provided for by Article

[Tom62]

Do your presidents matter much?
We have a Governor General who represents the queen but is pretty insignificant in the scheme of things.

No, he doesn't matter much. That position is mainly ceremonial. Bundespresident Horst Köhler tried to make more out of the role. He became more popular than Angela Merkel (German chancellor), which was a good reason for the German politicians to get rid of him. He was replaced by Christian Wulff, against the will of the people. Merkel selected Wullf, because he was a direct threat to her chancellor's post. Wulff had to leave, because he is involved in several corruption scandals. This basically shows that politics stinks and that no-one here in Germany trust any politician.

[history_geek]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

[The Magic Pudding]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Almost?
Almost doesn't count.

[statichaos]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Almost?
Almost doesn't count.

I disagree.  Imagine an American saying that.

[Sweetdeath]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Almost?
Almost doesn't count.

I'm in America.
Almost doesn't count.

[Tom62]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Our foreign minister is gay. And the former first lady has a tattoo. try to beat that 

[Reprobate]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Our foreign minister is gay. And the former first lady has a tattoo. try to beat that 

Most of our elected officials at every level are mentally handicapped.

[Tom62]

Most of our elected officials at every level are mentally handicapped.

OK, you win.

[history_geek]

Most of our elected officials at every level are mentally handicapped.

OK, you win.

Agreed...

[Ali]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Our foreign minister is gay. And the former first lady has a tattoo. try to beat that 

Most of our elected officials at every level are mentally handicapped.

*snerk*

[Firebird]

We've had at least one president in the US who was likely gay, though he did his best to hide it (James Buchanan - 1857-61). There's also evidence that Lincoln may have been gay, though it's never been definitively proven. Though with a wife like his, I wouldn't be surprised.

[The Magic Pudding]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Our foreign minister is gay. And the former first lady has a tattoo. try to beat that 

Our Prime Minister is a female atheist who lives with a male hair dresser.
The leader of the opposition, known as the mad monk is more popular. 
The Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth used to sing in an excellent rock band.
Penny Wong, minister for finance is gay.
The leader of the Greens is gay, but that's hardly surprising.
We had a cool guy on the High court who was gay but he retired.

[Sweetdeath]

Meh, we almost got a gay president this time around. Beat that :p

Our foreign minister is gay. And the former first lady has a tattoo. try to beat that 

Our Prime Minister is a female atheist who lives with a male hair dresser.
The leader of the opposition, known as the mad monk is more popular. 
The Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth used to sing in an excellent rock band.
Penny Wong, minister for finance is gay.
The leader of the Greens is gay, but that's hardly surprising.
We had a cool guy on the High court who was gay but he retired.

Where do you live again? *____*