Former German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected president on Sunday taking on the prestigious but largely ceremonial position months before rival Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a big election test. Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democratic party, had guaranteed the support both of his own centre-left bloc and Angela Merkel’s centre-right Christian Democratic party. "Let's be brave, because then we don't have to be afraid of the future." Steinmeier said in his acceptance speech.