German President steps down over Afghanistan remarks

In this May 21file photo German president Horst Koehler, second left, speaks to German ISAF soldiers at the German ISAF troop's camp in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Standing at left is his wife Eva-Luise Koehler. AP.

German President Horst Koehler announced his resignation on Monday, over controversial comments he made about Germany’s military role in Afghanistan, German Press Agency dpa has learned.

Mr. Koehler had suggested during a recent trip to Afghanistan that the German military was active in the region to defend economic interests.

On Monday, he said he could not justify the remarks he had made, and said he had not exercised the necessary respect for his office.

This is the first time in German post-war history that a president has resigned. The speaker of Germany’s upper house of parliament, Jens Boehrnsen, is to fill the post until a successor is chosen.

The 67—year—old member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats has held the post since July 2004. He was re-elected to the largely ceremonial role last year.