GERMANY: President Christain Wulff resigns over sleaze probe scandal and thanks his wife and family for their support
Record ID:
644436
GERMANY: President Christain Wulff resigns over sleaze probe scandal and thanks his wife and family for their support
- Title: GERMANY: President Christain Wulff resigns over sleaze probe scandal and thanks his wife and family for their support
- Date: 18th February 2012
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 17, 2012) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) GERMAN PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN WULFF AND HIS WIFE BETTINA ARRIVING FOR STATEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN WULFF, SAYING: "The developments of the past few days and weeks have shown that (the German people's) trust and thus my effectiveness have been seriously damaged. For this reason it is no longer possible for me to exercise the office of president at home and abroad as required. I am resigning today from presidency in order to swiftly free the way for my successor." REPORTERS CLOSE OF WULFF'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN WULFF, SAYING: "I have always behaved legally correct in all my positions. I made mistakes, but I have always been upright." PAN OVER WULFF SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN WULFF, SAYING: "I thank my family and above all I thank my wife whom I see as a strong representative of a humane and a modern Germany." CLOSE OF BETTINA WULFF MEDIA WULFF AND BETTINA LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 4th March 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Germany, Germany
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA5CK9MZ4ZWWIP8KBC2FLHRW501
- Story Text: German President Christian Wulff resigned on Friday (February 17, 2012) after state prosecutors asked parliament on Thursday to remove his legal immunity over accusations that he accepted favours.
"The developments of the past few days and weeks have shown that (the German people's) trust and thus my effectiveness have been seriously damaged," Wulff said in a brief statement.
"For this reason it is no longer possible for me to exercise the office of president at home and abroad as required."
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who selected him for the largely ceremonial post of head of state, was scheduled to speak at 1030 GMT. The resignation deals a blow to the conservative chancellor in the midst of the euro zone crisis.
Wulff also thanked his wife and family for their support during this time. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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