LOC17:20
14:20 GMT
BERLINE, May 23 (KUNA) -- Christian Democratic Union (CDU) nominee Horst
Koehler was re-elected on Saturday as the President of Germany and secured an
absolute majority by 613 out of 1,224 votes.
Koehler's Social Democratic Party opponent, the 66-years-old female
Political Science Professor Gesine Schwas scored 503 votes and was supported
by her party as well as The Greens and the Left while Left Party's nominee
Peter Sodann garnered 91 votes.
The elections' day coincides with the 60th anniversary of the formation of
the Federal Republic of Germany and the German constitution.
Christian Democratic Union chairman Konrad Adenauerthe was the first
Chancellor of West Germany from 1949-1963.
A celebration will kick off today where German politicians, intellectuals,
artists, and German and foreign art bands will be participating.
German's Bundestag (Parliament) President Dr. Norbert Lammert hailed German
constitution and stressed its role in serving peace and freedom. (end)
sh.aia
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