Almost exactly one year after his reelection, the german Federal President, Horst Köhler, unexpectedly resigned yesterday. There’s some ongoing discussion whether his reasons were sufficient for a resignation. But that’s out of the question, as he already made a decision.
Unlike in other countries (like France or the US), the position of the german president is largely a ceremonial one. This means that the resignation of Horst Köhler does not affect the german capacity to act politically.
Germany now needs a new president, and the election needs to take place within 30 days. The election is performed by a »special body in the institutional system of Germany, convened solely for the purpose of electing the German Federal President«, the Bundesversammlung.
Every member of the Bundesversammlung can propose a candidate, but usually, the fractions select them beforehand. It will be interesting to see what candidates will be proposed, and whether the majority of the Bundesversammlung is willing to elect a person who intends to stand as a representative who takes a neutral political point of view.
