AFGHANISTAN | 31.05.2010
German President Koehler resigns suddenly amid Afghanistan row
In a surprise decision, German president Horst Koehler stepped down on Monday, citing controversial comments he made about Afghanistan.
A visibly emotional Koehler resigned in a televised press conference, saying: "I am resigning my post as federal president with immediate effect." His wife was at his side.
"It was an honor for me to serve Germany as president," he said. "I thank the many people in Germany who have put their trust in me and supported my work. I ask for you to understand my decision."
Koehler recently visited ISAF troops
The president also said he refused to defend himself against accusations that he would use the military unconstitutionally and for economic reasons, saying that to do so was unworthy of the high office he held.
In the past few days, Koehler had been under fire for saying that a country like Germany, which was heavily reliant on foreign trade must know that military interventions were needed to uphold German interests.
Koehler said his comments were "misunderstood" and that his remarks were not meant to refer to the mission in Afghanistan, where Germany has 4,500 troops in a NATO-led force tackling a Taliban-led insurgency.
Polls show that a majority of Germans are opposed to the mission in Afghanistan. But the government has not yet fixed a date for withdrawal from the unpopular mission.
Top government officials have been informed
A former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Koehler was enormously popular when he was elected to the post of president in 2004 and re-elected in 2009.
Koehler said he had already informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of his decision.
His wife Eva Luise was by his side during the announcement
After she was informed of his decision, Merkel cancelled a planned afternoon visit to the training camp of the German national soccer team, which is currently training in Austria for the World Cup games next month.
Koehler said he had also informed Vice Chancellor Guido Westerwelle of his decision, as well as the president of the Federal Constitutional Court, Andreas Vosskuhle, and the president of the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, Jens Boehrnsen.
According to the German constitution, Boehrnsen will temporarily take over the president's duties. A new president will need to be sworn in by June 30.
Statements showing shock, but also understanding, immediately began pouring in from fellow politicians.
jen/afp/AP/dpa
Editor: Rob Turner
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