Germany’s President Horst Koehler said on Monday he was stepping down with immediate effect, in a surprise move after criticism of recent comments he made about the country’s mission in Afghanistan. “I am resigning my post as federal President with immediate effect,” Mr Koehler, 67, said in Berlin.
“It was an honour for me to serve Germany as President,” a visibly emotional Mr Koehler told reporters with his wife at his side.
He said he had already informed Chancellor Angela Merkel of his decision. “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.” Mr Koehler came under fire for saying that an export-reliant country like Germany occasionally needed to defend its economic interests by preventing regional instabilities like that in Afghanistan.
Such regional instabilities “certainly have a negative impact on us through trade, jobs and income,” Mr Koehler told German radio on May 22.