Steinmeier To Hand Over Post on January 27

Frank-Walter Steinmeier will hand over officially his powers as Foreign Minister to Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel on January 27.

Steinmeier, who is a Social Democrat, was nominated as a candidate of the ruling coalition - CDU/CSU for president of Germany.

The elections will be held on February 12.

Steinmeier's contender is the nominee of the Left Party - political scientist and expert on combating poverty Christoph Butterwegge.