German President Wulff quits amid scandalFebruary 17, 2012 - 14:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - German President Christian Wulff has announced his resignation, after prosecutors called for his immunity to be lifted, BBC News reported. An ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Wulff is embroiled in a scandal over a home loan that he accepted when he was premier of Lower Saxony. Mrs Merkel cancelled a visit to Italy on Friday, February 17 to deal with the crisis, and she will give a statement shortly. German media say the crisis is unprecedented in post-war Germany. According to BBC News, the affair will be no more than a headache for Chancellor Merkel, whose approval rating is high among the German people. However, it comes at a time when she does not need any new headaches, as Germany wrestles with the eurozone debt crisis. And Mrs Merkel had fought to get Mr Wulff, an ally in her centre-right Christian Democrat party (CDU), appointed as president. He has been in the job for less than two years. He will be replaced as president by Horst Seehofer of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of the CDU. "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," Mr 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 Merkel, who selected him for the largely ceremonial post of head of state, was scheduled to speak at 10:30 GMT. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |