The hand of a statue showing former SPD chancellor Willy Brandt is seen as Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L), German Foreign Minister and candidate for chancellor of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and SPD party leader Franz Muentefering (R) address a news conference beside after first exit polls in the German general election (Bundestagswahl) at the party headquarters in Berlin September 27, 2009. Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives appear to have won enough votes in a German election to form a centre-right government with their preferred partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), exit polls showed on Sunday. Reuters Pictures 2 months ago

The hand of a statue showing former SPD chancellor Willy Brandt is seen as Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L), German Foreign Minister and candidate for chancellor of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and SPD party leader Franz Muentefering (R) address a news conference beside after first exit polls in the German general election (Bundestagswahl) at the party headquarters in Berlin September 27, 2009. Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives appear to have won enough votes in a German election to form a centre-right government with their preferred partners, the Free Democrats (FDP), exit polls showed on Sunday.

More Photos of

Explore Photos of Related Topics

  1. PICTURE PACKAGE OF NINE PHOTOS SHOWING THE SITUATION ON HISTORIC SPOTS IN BERLIN - 20 YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF THE WALL - - Photo taken Oct. 31, 2009 at the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, and displaying a photo of Reverend Martin Luther King, American civil rights leader, invited to Berlin by West Berlin Mayor Willy Brandt, as he visits on September 13, 1964 the red wall at the border Potsdamer Platz. An Associated Press archive photo set in the same location to mark the 20 year anniversary since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  2. Franz Muentefering (C), outgoing leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), arrives among party fellows to a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the death of late German Chancellor Willy Brandt (1913-1992) at a cemetery in Berlin, October 8, 2009.
  3. Franz Muentefering, outgoing leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), attends a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the death of German Chancellor Willy Brandt (1913-1992) at a cemetery in Berlin, October 8, 2009.
  4. Franz Muentefering, outgoing leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), arrives for a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the death of German Chancellor Willy Brandt (1913-1992) at a cemetery in Berlin, October 8, 2009.
  5. Franz Muentefering, outgoing leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), arrives for a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the death of German Chancellor Willy Brandt (1913-1992) at a cemetery in Berlin, October 8, 2009.
  6. Franz Muentefering, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party SPD, left, and Sigmar Gabriel, right, hold a press conference in Berlin, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. Throughout the day, the SPD was discussing a new leadership for the party after their heavy losses in Germany's general elections. In background the statue of former Chancellor and SPD chairman Willy Brandt.
  7. BERLIN - NOVEMBER 27: German politican Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender attend the annual press ball 'Bundespresseball' at the Intercontinental Hotel in Berlin on November 27, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.
  8. BERLIN - NOVEMBER 27: Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender attend the annual press ball 'Bundespresseball' at the Intercontinental Hotel in Berlin on November 27, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.
  9. BERLIN - NOVEMBER 27: Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Buedenbender attend the annual press ball 'Bundespresseball' at the Intercontinental Hotel in Berlin on November 27, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.
  10. DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 13: Sigmar Gabriel (C), new Chairman designate of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), SPD Bundestag faction leader Franz-Walter Steinmeier (2nd from R) and new General Secretary designate Andrea Nahles (R) applaude outgoing Chairman Franz Muentefering (2nd from L) after Muentefering's speech at the SPD party congress on November 13, 2009 in Dresden, Germany. Party delegates are to vote on the new party leadership, including on Gabriel's chairmanship, later in the day.
  11. DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 13: (From L to R) Sigmar Gabriel, new Chairman designate of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), SPD Bundestag faction leader Franz-Walter Steinmeier and new General Secretary designate Andrea Nahles listen to outgoing Chairman Franz Muentefering speak at the SPD party congress on November 13, 2009 in Dresden, Germany. Party delegates are to vote on the new party leadership, including on Gabriel's and Nahels's candidacy, later in the day.
  12. DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 13: (From L to R) Sigmar Gabriel, new Chairman designate of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), SPD Bundestag faction leader Franz-Walter Steinmeier and new General Secretary designate Andrea Nahles listen to outgoing Chairman Franz Muentefering speak at the SPD party congress on November 13, 2009 in Dresden, Germany. Party delegates are to vote on the new party leadership, including on Gabriel's and Nahels's candidacy, later in the day.
  13. Designated leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel (C) arrives for a party board meeting in Berlin October 5, 2009. Germany's Social Democrats, still reeling from their worst election since World War Two, began a leadership shake-up on Tuesday as they prepared to head into opposition for the first time in more than a decade.
  14. Outgoing leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Franz Muentefering (R) and designated party leader Sigmar Gabriel attend a party board meeting in Berlin October 5, 2009. Germany's Social Democrats, still reeling from their worst election since World War Two, began a leadership shake-up on Tuesday as they prepared to head into opposition for the first time in more than a decade.
  15. Outgoing leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Franz Muentefering (R) and designated party leader Sigmar Gabriel attend a party board meeting in Berlin October 5, 2009. Germany's Social Democrats, still reeling from their worst election since World War Two,. began a leadership shake-up on Tuesday as they prepared to head into opposition for the first time in more than a decade.
  16. Designated leader of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel attends a party board meeting in Berlin October 5, 2009. Germany's Social Democrats, still reeling from their worst election since World War Two, began a leadership shake-up on Tuesday as they prepared to head into opposition for the first time in more than a decade.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Ringo Starr (L) and Smokey Robinson announce nominees for record of the year and album of the year during The Grammy Nominations Concert Live - Countdown to the Music's Biggest Night event in Los Angeles, California, December 2, 2009. R&B singer Beyonce led the field of Grammy contenders with 10 nominations, followed by teen country sensation Taylor Swift with eight, organizers of the music industry's top awards said on Wednesday.
  2. Ringo Starr (L) and Smokey Robinson embrace after announcing nominees during The Grammy Nominations Concert Live - Countdown to the Music's Biggest Night event in Los Angeles, California, December 2, 2009. R&B singer Beyonce led the field of Grammy contenders with 10 nominations, followed by teen country sensation Taylor Swift with eight, organizers of the music industry's top awards said on Wednesday.
  3. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 03: Salman Butt of Pakistan walks from the field after being caught out by Daryl Tuffey of the Blackcaps during day one of the Second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on December 3, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.
  4. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Michael Clarke bats during an Australian nets session at the Adelaide Oval on December 3, 2009 in Adelaide, Australia.
  5. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (C) and his wife Laureen (R) tour the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Beijing December 3, 2009.
  6. Ringo Starr (L) gets his envelope back from Smokey Robinson after he dropped it on stage before announcing album of the year nominees during The Grammy Nominations Concert Live - Countdown to the Music's Biggest Night event in Los Angeles, California, December 2, 2009. R&B singer Beyonce led the field of Grammy contenders with 10 nominations, followed by teen country sensation Taylor Swift with eight, organizers of the music industry's top awards said on Wednesday.
  7. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 03: Umar Akmal and Misbah Ul-Haq of Pakistan walk from the field at tea during day one of the Second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on December 3, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.
  8. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 03: The Blackcaps celebrate Salman Butt of Pakistan being caught out by Daryl Tuffey during day one of the Second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on December 3, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.
  9. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Ben Hilfenhaus bats during an Australian nets session at the Adelaide Oval on December 3, 2009 in Adelaide, Australia.
  10. ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 03: Peter Siddle throws during an Australian nets session at the Adelaide Oval on December 3, 2009 in Adelaide, Australia.
  11. Jeffrey N. Shane, former official of Department of Transportation, left, speaks as he meets media about update on the fight over the future of Japan Airlines in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. At right is Delta Air Lines President Edward Bastian. Delta Airlines President Ed Bastian says the billion dollar offer to get Japan Airlines to join its alliance is still on.
  12. Delta Air Lines President Edward Bastian, right, speaks as he meets media about their update on the fight over the future of Japan Airlines in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Bastian says the billion dollar offer to get Japan Airlines to join its alliance is still on. At left is Jeffrey N. Shane, former official of Department of Transportation.
  13. Morelia's Aldo Ramirez, right, fights for the ball with Cruz Azul's Cesar Villaluz during a Mexican soccer league match in Morelia, Mexico, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009.
  14. Thai citizens, foreground, wait for their turn as barbers cut others' hair during a free service for the needy offered by the Thai army as part of the birthday celebration for King Bhumibol Adulyadej on his 82nd birthday at an army barrack in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009.
  15. Security guards push a trolley past a giant portrait of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej outside a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. Thais throughout the country will celebrate the 82nd birthday of their king Saturday.
  16. Morelia's Martin Romero, left, fights for the ball with Cruz Azul's Emanuel Villa during a Mexican soccer league match in Morelia, Mexico, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009.