Berlin, Germany (AHN) - In a surprise announcement, German president Horst Kohler announced his resignation Monday. The news comes after criticism of remarks he made about the country's military operations.
A visibly emotional Kohler, standing next to his wife, resigned in a televised press conference, saying: "I am resigning my post as federal president with immediate effect."
"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."
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he "deeply regretted" Kohler's decision and even tried to persuade him to change his mind, but the president "decided otherwise."
Despite his role being largely ceremonial, his resignation marked only the second time in modern Germany the presidency has been vacated by resignation. Heinrich Lübke gave up the office in 1969 over questions about his war-time affiliations.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is now tasked with finding a replacement.
The comments he made that drew such criticism centered on the country's military efforts in Afghanistan-protected German commercial interests. The remarks evoked widespread criticism within the pacifist country wary of any semblance of a return to its martial traits that are ingrained in the past.
Kohler was elected to power as the ninth German president on May 23, 2004. He was re-elected to a second term.
