German president quits in scandal over favours

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.

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.