Gabriel appointed foreign minister

berlin - Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, with immediate effect, the German foreign minister. Federal President Joachim Gauck, the outgoing SPD chief Friday in Bellevue Palace officially appointed.

State Secretary Brigitte Zypries takes over the duties of Gabriel on Economic Affairs. The post of Foreign Affairs was vacant since Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 12 February, the new German president.

Gabriel announced this week that he is fighting with Angela Merkel leaves the Chancellor shelf to Martin Schulz, the former President of the European Parliament. This will be presented Sunday with the election during a party meeting of the Socialists.

Gabriel goes according to the business newspaper Handelsblatt right away. He flies Saturday already to France for talks with colleague Jean-Marc Ayrault and the middle of next week he will travel to the United States. There are talks with Vice President Mike Pence and its intended US counterpart Rex Tillerson on the program, as well as a visit to the United Nations.