Guido Westerwelle's Struggle for Popularity

Guido Westerwelle, the leader of the business-friendly Free Democratic Party, is set to become Germany's new foreign minister after his party scored its best-ever result in national elections. But does a politician best-known for his ever-changing roles and campaign stunts have the gravitas to be the country's top diplomat?

He knows it's important to control his feelings now, not to smile too broadly. A subtle smile is all Guido Westerwelle allows to appear on his face as he emerges from the conference room. The parliamentary group of his party, the business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP), has just unanimously voted him into office as its new floor leader. It is yet another triumph, but he is being careful not to flaunt it. Westerwelle knows that it's time to be a statesman.

He appears before the press, his hands folded together and his pale gold tie shimmering in the light. Two days earlier, on Sunday, Sept. 27, the FDP achieved its best result ever in a national parliamentary election. The previous day, Westerwelle met with Chancellor Angela Merkel, his future coalition partner. A journalist asks whether champagne was served at the meeting. Westerwelle, looking serious, replies: "There was tea."