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German Federal Chancellor, Ms. Angela Merkel, didn't show a happy face when she officially reacted on the resignation of former Federal President, Mr. Christian Wulff, and she couldn't because Wulff was her choice after predecessor - also her choice - Horst Koehler (Federal President July 1st, 2004 till May 31st, 2010) had resigned in the first year of his second period in office. Acting head of state is now the Bavarian Governor, Horst Seehofer, currently President of the Upper House of German Parliament, the Bundesrat.
A new federal president will be elected by a special state organ, the Federal Assembly (or Convention), "Bundesversammlung", that combines the Lower House of Parliament, the Bundestag, with an equal number of delegates from the 16 federal states.
This election of a new president within 30 days from now is somewhat crucial for the survival of ConLib cabinet Merkel II. The FreeDems of party chairman and Germany's Federal Minister for Economics, Philipp Roesler, that are hovering around 3 percent in the polls - btw too low for having seats in a new national election - will be sidelined, for sure. Because Roesler's F.D.P. doesn't have any bargaining chip left, they will have to swallow any candidate who shall be now beyond political colors, supported by a vast majority in the Convention.
What signals is Merkel going to send?
Probably, a message to the SPD!
It would be a boon for Germany and Europe, especially in terms of the political crisis swirling around Greece and the common currency, the Euro, if a grand coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD could be renewed to create a stable anchor for future developments in Europe and the world.
Merkel's conservatives of CDU/CSU will very likely be the strongest block with SocialDems almost with equal size, according to latest polls.
By executing her successful power of conviction that a joint candidate of 'Black' (Cons) and 'Red' (SocDems) might be picked this time, she is able 'to dump' the FreeDems and make room for a stable majority in both houses of German parliament.
Will the SocialDems be prepared to join a possible Merkel III government?
Well, not with Sigmar Gabriel (SPD's chairman) or Andrea Nahles (Federal SPD's general secretary) but with former Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and former Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück in cabinet Merkel I.
A black-red picked federal president would set a precedent, for sure. National elections for the Bundestag this year seem inevitable in this case because the FreeDems want to be factored in this equation.
With nothing to lose, the F.D.P. likely will pursue 'doom' or 'success' then; at least 5 percent, they need for political survival, else they would be scratched off the political landscape for 4 years on federal level - that is why a break-up of the coalition, initiated by Roesler, is likely when Merkel accepts a across-the-political-aisle candidate with the SPD big-heads.
The next days will be quite thrilling.
