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German president to resign

German President Christian Wulff will announce his resignation today

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

BERLIN, Feb. 17. / ITAR-TASS/. German President Christian Wulff will announce his resignation today, his office said on Friday.
The move was the result of a series of scandals involving the head of the German state, associated with his contacts with wealthy businessmen. Publicized was the fact that Christian Wulff, while serving as a Prime Minister of a federal state of Lower Saxony, received a personal loan at favorable interest rates from his friends, spent holidays in private villas, and created a commercial for one of the companies.
The question arose about whether the policy decisions taken by the current head of state are independent and whether he used his official position for personal gain. As a result, the prosecutor'soffice in Hannover applied for lifting of Christian Wulff's immunity from prosecution, which must be considered by the Bundestag.
Christian Wulff is to make a statement today.
As this became known, German Chancellor Angela Merkel canceled her scheduled visit to Italy. She also intends to make a statement today.

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