国际英语新闻：President Koehler's resignation brings shock to Germany

BERLIN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- German President Horst Koehler resigned surprisingly on Monday, a move that stunned top politicians as well as the public at a time of economic difficulties and sinking support for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right ruling coalition.

Koehler announced his resignation after a week of criticism over a radio interview which allegedly linked military deployments abroad with the country's economic interests.

Merkel, who was informed of Koehler's decision just two hours in advance, said she regrets his resignation "to the utmost" and she had tried in vain to dissuade him from resigning.

Other German top politicians also expressed shock at Koehler's move. Guido Westerwelle, vice-chancellor and head of the Free Democrats (FDP), said he also had tried to urge Koehler to change his mind but failed.

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said the resignation of Koehler, a former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), amid a financial crisis would "leave behind a great gap."

Opposition politicians meanwhile said that the latest development hinted at a crisis for Merkel's ruling coalition of her conservatives and the FDP.

Sigmar Gabriel, head of the main opposition Social Democrats, said: "I really can't see a good reason for his departure other than the fact that Horst Koehler obviously had the impression that those who brought him into office didn't give him enough support."

Koehler, a member of Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU), has held the largely ceremonial post of head of state since July 2004 after reelection last year.

Cem Oezdemir, co-leader of the German Green Party, linked Koehler's resignation with a recent setback of Merkel's ruling coalition at the regional elections in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia .

Merkel's ruling coalition has lost majority in the society and North Rhine-Westphalia, said Oezdemir. "Today it is clear that the resignation of the President is a symbol of the decline of the black-yellow coalition in the federal government."

Merkel, however, said in an interview with German public televisions ARD and ZDF Monday evening that she did not view Koehler as an affront to herself.

She also dismissed criticism that she had failed to give Koehler enough support, saying by refusing to comment on Koehler's remarks about military operations she has stuck to the common rule that the Chancellor does not interpret remarks of the President.