German president was too weak

German President Horst Köhler resigned on Monday due to sustained critique of his statements concerning the trade benefits of German military missions abroad. The conservative daily Rzeczpospolita welcome's the move on the grounds that Köhler was too weak as head of state: "According to Germany's Basic Law the President has no real voice in affairs of state. But that doesn't mean he's just a straw man. Germany expects from its head of state moral leadership and political visions, as well as insight into the direction the country is to take. The President of the Bundesrepublik may have no constitutional rights, but he does have one powerful weapon, namely the word. Horst Köhler was not able to use this weapon. And when he did, it was met by incomprehension. His speeches and interviews seldom found an echo in the media."

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