Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) has nominated former Deputy Chancellor Franz Müntefering as the party's new chairman. Muentefering is due to be elected by a special party congress on October 18.
He will replace Kurt Beck who resigned at the weekend, following months of dwindling support and internal party rows. This marks the fourth leadership change in just over four years and the third since the 2005 election. Beck resigned hours after party leaders meeting near Berlin decided on Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier as the SPD's candidate for chancellor in next year's federal election. Analysts say the SPD is trying to reposition itself in order to combat the rise of the new Left Party.
(Deutsche Welle)
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