FrankWalter Steinmeier must now to sharpen its profile and form a team

The German Social Democrats have finally decided the issue of the "K" as "Kandidat" that has haunted them for weeks: this is Frank - Walter Steinmeier, the current Minister for Foreign Affairs, which will lead to the battle, next year, against Chancellor Angela Merkel. Therefore, they choose to attack in the centre and reassure their constituents the most moderate, concerned a fraction of the party tilt more in left. Kurt Beck, the pattern of the SPD, which suffered from months of humiliating popularity ratings, has waived its right of first refusal and, to the surprise General, resigned from the leadership of the party. It is giving way to that, if there is no unanimity in the Socialist camp, apparently the only capable to compete with the Chancellor.

"We were in agreement on the fact that this appointment would mark a real revival," said Frank - Walter Steinmeier, following the Congress which took place this weekend near Potsdam, aware that it was a "difficult day for the party." According to the "Bild am Sonntag", the German Socialists would be heard on a 11 page text laying down the priorities of the campaign: creation of 500,000 jobs by 2020, investments in renewable energy, continuous training and child care...

Form a team

The choice of the Socialist candidate for the Chancellery was to intervene later, but the internal pressure has accelerated the tempo. Last week, a group of 60 figures of the Party published a manifesto demanding the dismantling of the agenda 2010 of Gerhard Schröder, this set of measures to liberalize the market precisely co-conçu work... by Frank-Walter Steinmeier. And then, what good to agree on the axes of a program if it is not known to be the flag It was whether, yesterday, before that the SPD implodes.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier must now to sharpen its profile and form a team. He can count on the support of Franz Müntefering, who will take the leadership of the party at an upcoming extraordinary Congress. The former Vice Chancellor and Minister of labour, which was withdrawn in November 2007 to accompany his wife ill, deceased since returned to the political scene last week. He retained great popularity and has much to benefit the new candidate, who has never faced any ballot. Steinmeier will also be able to rely on Peer Steinbrück, the Orthodox Minister of finance, with whom he formed a duo that the German media dubbed the "Stones" ("stein" meaning "stone"). It will finally benefit from the advice of Gerhard Schröder, his mentor (see below).

But it will also have to deal with the left wing of the party, whose loyalty is not acquired. The Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, is given as a candidate for 2013, if Steinmeier fails in 2009. Franziska Drohsel, who chairs the "Jusos" Socialist Youth, does not hide his inclination for the radical left. The greatest danger for the social democratic candidate, has however of Andrea Ypsilanti, who wants to be elected Minister-President in Hesse with the voice of the radical left.

These many faults did not escape the Christian Democrats, whose Secretary General stated that Steinmeier was "a King without land."