I don’t profess to follow German politics as intently as American politics, so I can’t speak with too much detail to the reasons behind Horst Köhler’s resignation as the president of Germany.* What I do know is that this is only the second time a sitting German president as resigned effective immediately.  I have to say I’m a little sad, just because he was so friendly to us last summer at a ceremony at Schloss Bellevue.  It will certainly be interesting to watch as this plays itself out and as a new president is appointed.

* The Chancellor (Angela Merkel) is the country’s head of state, and the office of President is mostly ceremonial.