Germany's got a big job opening
Source: Agencies |
June 2, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GERMAN Chancellor Angel Merkel launched a fast-track search yesterday for a new head of state, after President Horst Koehler's surprise resignation left the country baffled and shocked.
Merkel canceled several government obligations and a trip to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, to start consulting with her coalition's leaders on finding a new president, to be elected on June 30.
She said Koehler had given her only two hours warning before stepping down on Monday, saying he felt unduly criticized.
"My heart was very heavy today because I know a lot of citizens appreciate him," Merkel said on Monday.
While many have speculated over possible replacements, Merkel said on Monday night she had no candidate in mind and that the race was "completely open" - politician or outsider, man or woman.
She vowed to propose a candidate who "has a chance to be accepted by all" rather than just by the coalition parties that dominate Parliament, including her own Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union and the Free Democrats.
Opposition leader Sigmar Gabriel, of the Social Democrats, said on ZDF television that the opposition might come up with its own candidate if Merkel failed to find a candidate suitable to all.
Koehler's resignation deals Merkel another blow at the worst possible time amid the lingering euro crisis and her unpopular efforts to cut a huge federal budget deficit.
A poll published yesterday by the weekly Stern indicated Merkel's party was supported by only 30 percent of voters, down two points from a week earlier.
The Forsa poll surveyed 2,003 people on May 25-28 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Politicians and commentators had no clear explanation yesterday for why Koehler resigned.
Koehler himself had said in his very brief resignation statement on Monday he felt the criticism voiced after an interview he gave on the German military's role in the world was unduly harsh.
That criticism was first voiced by the opposition. Merkel had declined to comment on it.
The German president has a largely ceremonial job, but traditionally functions as the nation's moral voice.
Constitutionally, a new leader must be elected within 30 days of the resignation.
Merkel canceled several government obligations and a trip to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, to start consulting with her coalition's leaders on finding a new president, to be elected on June 30.
She said Koehler had given her only two hours warning before stepping down on Monday, saying he felt unduly criticized.
"My heart was very heavy today because I know a lot of citizens appreciate him," Merkel said on Monday.
While many have speculated over possible replacements, Merkel said on Monday night she had no candidate in mind and that the race was "completely open" - politician or outsider, man or woman.
She vowed to propose a candidate who "has a chance to be accepted by all" rather than just by the coalition parties that dominate Parliament, including her own Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union and the Free Democrats.
Opposition leader Sigmar Gabriel, of the Social Democrats, said on ZDF television that the opposition might come up with its own candidate if Merkel failed to find a candidate suitable to all.
Koehler's resignation deals Merkel another blow at the worst possible time amid the lingering euro crisis and her unpopular efforts to cut a huge federal budget deficit.
A poll published yesterday by the weekly Stern indicated Merkel's party was supported by only 30 percent of voters, down two points from a week earlier.
The Forsa poll surveyed 2,003 people on May 25-28 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
Politicians and commentators had no clear explanation yesterday for why Koehler resigned.
Koehler himself had said in his very brief resignation statement on Monday he felt the criticism voiced after an interview he gave on the German military's role in the world was unduly harsh.
That criticism was first voiced by the opposition. Merkel had declined to comment on it.
The German president has a largely ceremonial job, but traditionally functions as the nation's moral voice.
Constitutionally, a new leader must be elected within 30 days of the resignation.
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