MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

IMF chief next president of Germany

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Horst Koehler was officially presented this Thursday as the Conservative opposition candidate for president of Germany which almost ensures his access to becoming head of state next May 23.

Mr. Koehler, 61, is the joint candidate of the Christian Democrats, Social Christians and Liberals who have a majority in the Federal Assembly made up of the Lower House, Bundestag, and the regional parliaments.

The ruling Social democrats-Green's coalition candidate is a Political Sciences professor, Gesine Schwan, but analysts forecast her chances are extremely slim.

Mr. Koehler would then replace current president Johannes Rau, a Social democrat who for personal reasons is not seeking a second term.

In spite of the fact Mr. Koehler's contract with the IMF is not up until April 2005, "Horst immediately accepted the offer when we rang him in Washington", revealed the Christian Democrats President Angela Merkel.

"He's the right candidate for Germany in the era of globalization; Mr. Koehler has international experience, economic competence and moral authority", said Ms. Merkel.

Although Mr. Koehler has been linked to the Christian Democrats and served under the previous conservative Helmut Kohl administrations as Finance Minister he's considered more as politically independent.

The president of Germany is expected to leave aside his political militancy and act as an integrating factor for the country. Mr. Koehler's candidacy was also praised by German business and banking organizations.

"In the current situation it will be good for Germany to have a man who is recognized in Europe and the world", stressed Manfred Weber, president of the German Banks Association.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder refused to comment on Mr. Koehler opposition candidacy only recalling that it was him who originally proposed him as IMF chief. Before IMF Mr. Koehler for two years was president of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank.