CDU Secretary General Peter Tauber (R) talks to former German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (C) as CSU politician Ilse Aigner (L) looks on before the presidential election at the Bundesversammlung federal assembly Bundestag (lower house of parliament)on February 12, 2017 in Berlin.

The German President is not chosen by popular vote but is elected by a special assembly of MPs and public figures. / AFP / Odd ANDERSEN        (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images)