AfD ENDORSES THOMAS BERTHOLD FOR GERMAN PRESIDENT

BERLIN, NOVEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - The right-wing Alternative for Germany /AfD/ party has endorsed Thomas Berthold, a former top-level footballer, as its candidate for the next German president.

"We are confident that our candidate can be elected well beyond party lines," the party said in a statement.

Berthold had a distinguished professional football career, including 64 appearances for the German national team, with which he won the World Cup in Italy in 1990.

He also took part in demonstrations against the government's measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

Stefan Mayer, sports policy spokesman for the conservative bloc led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said that the former footballer had undoubtedly been an outstanding and highly successful professional player, but was not a serious candidate for the country's highest office, Deutsche Welle reported.

Ilse Aigner of the Bavarian Christian Social Union /CSU/, who is backed by the conservative bloc, the Social Democrats /SPD/ and the Greens, is considered the frontrunner to succeed incumbent President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The vote at a special assembly convened for this purpose is scheduled for January 30.