Berlin - A president chosen in a direct election should not be a second government and he should be a moderator and reconciler in turbulent political times, German President Joachim Gauck told his Czech counterpart Milos Zeman during a ceremonial lunch today.

Gauck said the role of Zeman, the first Czech head of state elected by citizens, is "exciting but at the same time a difficult task to define the role of the president in harmony with his direct mandate without creating a second government power centre."
"I believe that you will succeed in prudently and in close cooperation with Czech parliament in finding a compromise," Gauck said.
"It is precisely in turbulent political times that the president should play the role of a moderator and reconciler. ...He should close gaps in society and unite the nation," Gauck said.