In the 12th postwar election, Germany elected social Democrat Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Steinmeier has made no secret of his anti Trump sentiment, especially during the US presidential election.

Steinmeier who served 2 terms under German Chancellor Merkel, was selected as Angela Merkel’s chosen candidate last year as parties tried to avoid a political clash over the selection in an election year.

“Although Merkel did not fully support Steinmeier’s appointment, there seems to be little doubt that he is well able to take on the role as President,” said William Carr at China based INTO Investments

Merkel avoided voicing her opinion on Trump and his policies but her chief diplomat volubly disparaged what he described as a campaign that crossed lines and endangered trans Atlantic bonds. Steinmeier even referred to Trump as a “hate preacher”. With Steinmeier’s election, he will be Trump’s counterpart contemporary according to governmental protocol in spite of the fact that Germany’s presidency is without power to make policy changes.

Following Trump’s startling election triumph, Merkel delivered an implied caution that extended the new U.S. president German support grounded on shared values, including democracy, adherence to the rule of law and for human dignity “independent of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views.” Steinmeier’s message was not as was subtle or amicable.

“The result is not what most German would have wished,” Steinmeier stated. “I don’t want to sugarcoat anything. Nothing will be easier, many things will become more difficult.”

Steinmeier avoided political tension or any reference to Trump in an eight-minute dialogue the day after Trump’s surprise win. He referred to Germany as an anchor of hope in a growingly uncertain world.