German President Christian Wulff announces his resignation on February 17, 2012.
German President Christian Wulff resigned Friday in a scandal over favors he allegedly got before becoming head of state, adding domestic political problems to Chancellor Angela Merkel as she tackles Europe’s growing debt crisis.
The resignation came a day after prosecutors for Parliament asked his immunity from prosecution be lifted over his relationship with film producer David Groenewold. The unprecedented move against a German president comes after allegations Wulff, in his previous job as governor of Lower Saxony, got several gifts from his friend, including a luxury hotel stay in 2007. He has also been accused of getting a dubious loan, and trying to stop a German tabloid from reporting on the scandal when it broke last January. Prosecutors said Groenewold is also under suspicion.
David Groenewold
In announcing his resignation at a press conference, Wulff said Germany needs “a president who is supported by the confidence not just of a majority of citizens, but a wide majority.”
“The developments of recent days and months have shown that this confidence, and therefore my ability to act, have been lastingly impaired,” he said, his wife Bettina at his side.
Although the German President plays mostly a ceremonial role in parliament, it does carry a certain moral authority, with the office holder signing legislation into law.
Angela Merkel
Chancellor Merkel, already dealing with a full plate of European economic woes, moved quickly to minimize any inner political fallout from the resignation. She voiced “deep regret” at Wulff’s decision and announced immediate talks with opposition parties on who would succeed him.
Although Chancellor Merkel has not been affected by the scandal and remains intensely popular in Germany, her parliamentary coalition holds a razor-thin majority and is prone to infighting. An extended battle over who would become the next president could weaken or even break her hold in parliament.
Wulff maintains his innocence and believes he will be eventually cleared of any wrongdoing.
“I have always behaved legally correctly in the offices I held,” he said. “I have made mistakes, but I was always honest.”
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