The center-left Social Democrats will have six ministers in the conservative Merkel's 16-member Cabinet. Party leader Sigmar Gabriel will become vice chancellor and economy minister, with new powers to oversee Germany's transition from nuclear to renewable energy.
Gabriel presented the ministers today. He described Steinmeier, who was foreign minister from 2005-9, as "perhaps Germany's most distinguished foreign policy expert."
A deputy party leader with Turkish roots, Aydan Ozuguz, will become the government official responsible for immigrant issues, a job that's one rung below Cabinet rank.