German President Joachim Gauck will not pursue a second term as Germany`s head of state, according to the Berlin-based "Bild" newspaper.
The paper added that Gauck will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, and make a public announcement on Tuesday.
The paper suggests his age and health may be behind the 76-year-old`s decision. Gauck was confirmed as German president in March 2012.
Just last month, leaders of Germany`s governing parties reportedly pledged their support for Gauck serving a second term. The "Frankfurter Rundschau" newspaper reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel`s Christian Democratic Union and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners feared the negative impact of Gauck declining to run for a second term.
According to the report, it would mar their 2017 federal election campaigns if the parties were unable to agree on a consensus candidate. A recent poll suggests a broad majority of Germans would like Gauck to continue as president.
Gauck`s term is expected to end in early 2017.
German President Joachim Gauck to not stand for second term
04 June 2016
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A media report says German President Joachim Gauck will not run for a second five-year term as the country`s head of state, citing health reasons and his age. It says his decision will be officially announced next week.
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