German president Joachim Gauck will not seek second term

Germany’s head of state, 76-year-old president Joachim Gauck, has said he will not seek a second term in 2017 due to his age.

Mr Gauck told reporters at his office in Berlin he would complete his five-year term but did not feel he was up to another because “the years between 77 and 82 are different than those that I’m in right now”.

“Until the end of my term, I will seriously and happily fulfill my duties,” he said.