German president resigns, a major blow to Merkel

Angela Merkel’s hand-picked choice for the ceremonial post of president resigned in a scandal over political favours, dealing a blow to the German chancellor in the middle of the euro zone crisis.

In a curt five-minute statement at the Bellevue presidential palace, Christian Wulff said he had lost the trust of the German people, making it impossible to continue in a role that is meant to serve as a moral compass for the nation.