Franz Muentefering Gestures

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 13: Sigmar Gabriel (R), new Chairman designate of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), applauds outgoing Chairman Franz Muentefering after Muentefering's speech at the SPD party congress on November 13, 2009 in Dresden, Germany. Party delegates are to vote on the new party leadership, including on Gabriel's chairmanship, later in the day.

What we see here is Franz showing us the same body movements you would see if he was going to embrace someone. It is obviously symbolic, but does it convey a sense of gratitude. Had this been a video, instead of a picture, we'd likely next see him clasp his hands together or place a hand over his heart.◦

Franz Muentefering Gestures