Horst Köhler
German politician (CDU); president of Germany, 2004–2010 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Horst Köhler (born 22 February 1943) is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. He was the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, for becoming president. Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on 23 May 2004. He was reelected to a second term on 23 May 2009. About one year later, on 31 May 2010, he resigned from his office in a controversy over his comment on the role of the Bundeswehr in light of a visit to the troops in Afghanistan.
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Horst Köhler | |
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President of Germany | |
In office 1 July 2004 – 31 May 2010 | |
Chancellor | Gerhard Schröder Angela Merkel |
Preceded by | Johannes Rau |
Succeeded by | Christian Wulff |
Chairman and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund | |
In office 1 May 2000 – 4 March 2004 | |
Preceded by | Michel Camdessus |
Succeeded by | Rodrigo Rato |
Personal details | |
Born | (1943-02-22) 22 February 1943 (age 81) Heidenstein, General Government (now Skierbieszów, Poland) |
Political party | Christian Democratic Union |
Spouse(s) | Eva Bohnet |
Alma mater | University of Tübingen |
Profession | Economist |
Signature |
Köhler is an economist by profession. Prior to his election as president, Köhler had a career in politics, the civil service and as a banking executive. He was President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 1998 to 2000. He also served as the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2000 to 2004.
Although the office of President is less influential than that of the Chancellor and is mostly concerned with ceremonial matters, Köhler was a highly popular politician during his term. He has called for more influence for the President and has suggested the President should be directly elected. This was the case under Germany's Weimar Constitution.