Gesine Schwan , President of the Viadrina European University in Frankfurt Oder , pictured after being nominated the Social Democrats ' ( SPD ) contestant for the office of the German President in Berlin , Germany , 26 May 2008 . The SPD party board officially nominated 65 - year - old Schwan to be the contestant against incumbent German President Horst Koehler when the Federal Assembly elects the German President on 23 May 2009 . EPA / TIM BRAKEMEIER < 저작권자 ⓒ 2007 연 합 뉴 스 . 무단 전재 - 재 배포 금지 . >< 연합뉴스 긴급 속보 를 SMS 로 ! SKT 사용 자 는 무료 체험 ! >