German president touts U.S. 'optimism'

Washington Times ^ | 6/29/04 | Stephanie Dornschneider

[kattracks]

Horst Koehler, the economist who will become president of Germany on Thursday, hopes to bring an American sense of optimism to a country that suffers from a weak economy.

"Horst who?" was the headline in a major German national newspapers four months ago, when the center-right opposition Christian Democrats nominated Mr. Koehler for the largely ceremonial post. In May, a special national assembly endorsed him as president.

[ambrose]

Because the powerful position of the German president in the Weimar Republic had contributed to Adolf Hitler's rise, the office was made mainly ceremonial after World War II. Today, German presidents nominate the chancellor to the parliament, sign all laws after deciding whether a bill has been passed and represent the country at many official functions abroad.

Odd, given that Hitler's power mostly stemmed from his role as Chancellor.

[Malesherbes]

I'm glad Koehler has some positive views about the USA. After his nomination but before his actual election he made some anti-Bush cracks and was called on the carpet by CDU chief Angela Merkel.