Berlin, the political capital, bid farewell to the former Federal President Horst Köhler on Tuesday with a memorial service and a state act. As Köhler became head of state in 2004, he was still relatively unknown to the general public, said the current Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the state act in Berlin. “However, he quickly won the hearts of the German people: through his inviting laughter, his optimism and his courageous and unbiased approach to everyone he met.”
“And he quickly won over the understanding of his audience, too, when he repeatedly spoke of the opportunities that this country holds” Steinmeier added. “When he wished for a ‘land of ideas’ when he highlighted the ingenuity, creativity and willingness to act of its people. Not to make the strong stronger, but to encourage the weak and to make sure no one was left behind. That was also his motivation for advocating for good and just education and family policies.”
Steinmeier also highlighted Köhler’s engagement for the African continent. “Through this engagement, Horst Köhler became a highly respected and credible representative of Europe in many parts of Africa. And here, he changed the perspective on Africa in a decisive way. Africa was also the subject of his work, ‘from object to subject in geopolitical discourses’ – as the title of a speech outline, which he still approved just a few days before his death.”
Köhler passed away on February 1, at the age of 81. He was elected to the highest state office in Germany in 2004 and resigned in 2010 due to controversy over his statements on the deployment of the German military abroad. Before his time as head of state, he was the managing director of the International Monetary Fund.