Conservative German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union party won re-election Sept. 27 and likely will form a coalition government with the center-right Free Democrats, headed by openly gay Guido Westerwelle.
Westerwelle, 47, is likely to become vice chancellor and foreign minister.
His sexual orientation was not an issue during the election campaign and has not been an issue previously.
Two days after the election, however, the leading daily newspaper Bild put Westerwelle and partner Michael Mronz, 42, on the front page and declared them a “power couple.”
“His man makes him so strong,” the paper said.
By Rex Wockner
