Gabriel to become German Foreign Minister

Sigmar Gabriel, a chieftain of the Social Democrat Party of Germany (SPD), is set to become Germany’s Foreign Minister, party officials said on Tuesday.
Gabriel is currently the Minister for Economic Affairs in Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrat-led coalition, where the SPD is the junior member.
Gabriel, who led the SPD since 2009, aims to take over the foreign office from Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who is stepping down next month to take on the largely ceremonial post of German President.
The shake-up comes as the centre-left Social Democrats scramble to pick a strong candidate for Chancellor.
The 57-year-old Gabriel has trailed badly behind Merkel in public approval ratings.