German presidential election, 2004

In the election of the German President 2004, the former director of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF), Horst Köhler ( CDU) was elected by the Federal Assembly 12th to ninth President. He kicked the President of the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt ( Oder), Gesine Schwan (SPD ) on. The type of candidate selection of CDU / CSU and FDP, which ultimately led to the nomination Köhler, was often not adequately referred to by the public as the dignity of the office. The CDU / CSU parliamentary group could not prevail as candidates in the run-up in parts of the CDU and the FDP the favored Wolfgang Schäuble. Both candidates had performed a kind of election campaign after her nomination, although Koehler could be expected because of the absolute majority of CDU / CSU and FDP in the Federal Assembly with his choice.

The 604 votes that received Horst Köhler, are just one vote more than the absolute majority and thus significantly less than previously expected. There were nine abstentions and two invalid votes. It follows that at least nine members of the CDU / CSU / FDP camp who voted for The Swan ( if the abstentions and invalid votes were cast by all members of this camp, otherwise even more ). A member of the SPD series stayed away due to illness, the Federal Assembly. The number of seats had also decreased by one, as the Member of Parliament Anke Hartnagel (SPD ) died before the election and this mandate has not been re-occupied, because it was an overhang mandate.

In his acceptance speech Köhler aspired to be the legacy of John designs meet and introduce yourself as a mediator and confidence-building person. He praised the unity of Germany, he also called for a " Germany of ideas" and a child-friendly society.