German President resigns over corruption scandal

German President Christian Wulff resigned on Friday (February 17). Although he previously refused to step down as president, pressure was building on Wulff over alleged corruption and Germany's moral figurehead could be stripped of legal immunity and charged with criminal offences. Chancellor Angela Merkel has canceled a trip to Italy over the scandal and is expected to make an announcement later today.

If prosecutors' demands to lift presidential immunity are agreed, it will be the first time it has happened since before the Second World War. The scandal is centered around accusations that the President received inappropriate financial gifts and attempts at blackmail. In his resignation speech Wulff conceded that he had made mistakes. The German Presidency holds little political power, but the office is seen as a source of moral guidance and ceremonial leadership. Wulff has been the President of the Federal Republic of Germany since 2010, after a tenure as Minister-President in Lower Saxony since 2003. Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com