Traditionally, Germany's president is elected without any official campaigning. However, behind the scenes there's a battle going on to win the votes of the Federal Assembly's 1224 members. The race for Germany's highest public office will likely end up being between two candidates: current president Horst Köhler, the choice of the Christian Democrats; and political science professor Gesine Schwan, a Social Democrat. The Left Party's candidate, Peter Sodann, is thought to stand little chance of being elected.