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German president quits in scandal over favours
Scandal-hit German President Christian Wulff said Friday he was stepping down as head of state
- Agencies
- Published: 14:09 February 17, 2012
- Image Credit: AFP
- Germany's president Christian Wulff (Lleft) speaks next to his wife Bettina as he gives a statement to annouce he resigns on February 17, 2012 at the Bellevue Presidential Palace in Berlin, after prosecutors demanded his immunity be lifted to investigate allegations he abused his position. Wulff resigned today after a string of scandals, handing Chancellor Angela Merkel a political headache at home as she battles to lead Europe from its debt crisis. Late Thursday, the prosecutor in the northern city of Hanover announced an "initial suspicion" against Wulff's film producer friend David Groenewold, who reportedly picked up the bills for Wulff's hotel and an upgrade during two short breaks.
Berlin: German President Christian Wulff has announced his resignation in a scandal over favours he allegedly received before becoming head of state - creating a new problem for Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Wulff announced his immediate resignation on Friday, a day after the slow-burning affair escalated dramatically with a request by prosecutors for Parliament to lift his immunity from prosecution.
I am ... today stepping down from the office of federal president to free up the way quickly for a successor
Wulff is stepping down after less than two years in the job. He was Merkel's candidate for the presidency in 2010.
His resignation is potentially awkward for Merkel — providing a major domestic distraction as she grapples with the eurozone debt crisis. A successor must be elected by a special parliamentary assembly within 30 days.
Immunity
The news of Wulff's resignation came a day after prosecutors asked parliament to lift his immunity from prosecution.
"I am ... today stepping down from the office of federal president to free up the way quickly for a successor," he said in a televised statement from his Bellevue palace.
Chancellor Angela Merkel
Earlier Friday it was reported German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on Friday to cancel her visit to Rome and to tell him that President Christian Wulff was resigning.
"Monti received a call from Merkel who said that President Wulff will resign," Monti's spokeswoman Betty Olivi told AFP.
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