German ex-president Horst Koehler dead at 81
- Update Time : 12:04:33 pm, Saturday, 1 February 2025
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Former German President Horst Koehler, who served from 2004 to 2010, passed away at the age of 81 on Saturday after a brief illness, according to official sources. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute to Koehler, describing him as a highly respected and beloved figure who made significant contributions both nationally and globally. An economist by profession, Koehler was the first German president without a background in politics, having previously served as the head of the International Monetary Fund in Washington. He assumed the presidency, a largely ceremonial role, after being nominated by then-opposition leader Angela Merkel, who later became chancellor. Re-elected in 2009, Koehler resigned the following year amid criticism over his comments on Germany’s military involvement abroad. He passed away in Berlin, surrounded by his family.
