German president resigns following corruption allegations

By Helen Livingstone Feb 17, 2012, 11:53 GMT

Berlin - German President Christian Wulff announced his resignation Friday, saying that persistent corruption allegations over the past weeks had resulted in a lack of trust which made his position untenable.

Germany needed a president who could meet challenges at home and abroad without constraints, he said, with the trust of 'not just a majority but a broad majority of citizens.'

'The events of the past days and weeks have shown that this trust and therefore my influence have been lastingly damaged,' he said. On Thursday, public prosecutors had applied to lift Wulff's immunity following allegations over favours accepted from wealthy friends while he was premier of the state of Lower Saxony during 2003-10.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, who cancelled planned talks in Rome with the Italian premier, thanked Wulff, saying he had worked tirelessly for an 'open, modern Germany.'

Wulff's resignation places more pressure on Merkel and her coalition government, currently at the forefront of a battle to contain the eurozone debt crisis. The chancellor picked Wulff for the post from relative obscurity in 2010.

'He made it clear to us that the strength of this country lies in its diversity,' Merkel said. Her comment was a reference to Wulff's stance on integration and a statement early on in his presidency that 'Islam belongs in Germany.'

Wulff's stance was welcomed by immigrants but put him at odds with conservative members of Merkel's Christian Democrat party (CDU), of which the president was formerly a member. Wulff also highlighted his work on promoting integration in his resignation speech.

'I'm convinced that Germany can best develop its economic and social strength and make a good contribution to European unity when integration succeeds at home,' he said.

The corruption allegations against the president began in mid-December.

The latest involve allegations that he accepted a free holiday at a German beach resort from David Groenewold, a manager of film investment deals, in 2007.

Wulff denied the accusation last week, saying he paid in cash. But media reported that Groenewold had paid for the whole party on his credit card.

The allegation which first sparked the string of accusations was that he had accepted a loan from wealthy friends to finance the purchase of a house while premier of Lower Saxony.

Wulff had to admit that he had been economical with the truth during a 2010 disclosure about his business dealings and had hidden the fact that the initial loan came from the wife of a businessman friend, Egon Geerkens.

No offence has yet been proven but Wulff's seemingly cosy links with businessmen had caused disquiet.

His image was further tarnished when the tabloid Bild, Germany's most popular newspaper, revealed that Wulff had left voicemails on its editor's phone, threatening that reports about his home loans would put the two 'at war.'

Merkel said the ruling coalition would consult with other parties across the political spectrum to find a candidate to replace Wulff.

As the head of the Bundesrat, or upper house of parliament, Horst Seehofer - leader of the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union - now becomes acting head of state.