Steinmeier's New Image

Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), is to be officially inaugurated as vice chancellor on Wednesday. His promotion was announced at the end of last week after veteran SPD politician Franz Müntefering resigned from the position in order to care for his wife, who has cancer.

In an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper, Steinmeier said he was ready to engage in the trench warfare of daily politics with Merkel's conservatives, who rule in a grand coalition together with the SPD.

"There will always be differences of opinion in the coalition. That means I will have to take a clear stand even if that means there is a real clash," he said.

Steinmeier, who has a reputation as a prudent and reliable diplomat, warned that he will "definitely not be the friendly gentleman from the foreign ministry."

In contrast to Müntefering, Steinmeier has been sharply critical of Merkel on foreign policy recently, especially in regards to Russia.

Governance more important than campaigning

In his interview with Bild, Steinmeier also warned that the Social Democrats and the conservatives ran the risk of gridlock before the next general election in 2009 if they opt to campaign rather than govern.

"We should avoid giving voters the feeling that we will be running a two-year-long election campaign. That would be disastrous," he was quoted as saying.

Steinmeier also made it clear his party wouldn't back down on the issue of minimum wages, saying that everyone should "benefit from the recovering economy."

Merkel's conservatives continue to reject an overall national minimum wage proposed by the Social Democrats. In addition, although the two sides have agreed in principle to introduce a minimum wage for postal workers, they remain deadlocked on the details.

"If [the coalition] can't reach a decision on an issue, then we have the right to say; 'the voters should decide in 2009'," Steinmeier said.

"A minimum wage is important, and it will be introduced -- if not with this government, then with the next."

Steinmeier more popular than SPD leader Beck

Steinmeier told Bild he supported SPD leader Kurt Beck as the party's challenger to Merkel in the next national election.

However, according to an Emnid survey undertaken for Bild's Sunday edition, voters prefer Steinmeier, who has served as Germany's foreign minister since 2005, over Beck.

Thirty-seven percent said Steinmeier would be the better candidate, with 35 percent opting for Beck; 28 percent didn't have an opinion.

The actual SPD candidate for the 2009 elections won't be announced until the end of 2008.