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Christian Wulff

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Christian Wulff
NameChristian Wulff
CaptionWulff in 2010
OfficePresident of Germany
Term start30 June 2010
Term end17 February 2012
ChancellorAngela Merkel
PredecessorHorst Köhler
SuccessorJoachim Gauck
Office1Minister-President of Lower Saxony
Term start14 March 2003
Term end130 June 2010
Predecessor1Sigmar Gabriel
Successor1David McAllister
Birth date19 June 1959
Birth placeOsnabrück, West Germany
PartyChristian Democratic Union
SpouseBettina Wulff, 2008
Alma materUniversity of Osnabrück
ReligionRoman Catholic

Christian Wulff is a German politician and lawyer who served as the tenth President of Germany from 2010 until his resignation in 2012. A member of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, he previously served as the Minister-President of Lower Saxony from 2003 to 2010. His presidency was the shortest in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, ending amid allegations concerning personal financial conduct.

Early life and education

Christian Wulff was born in Osnabrück, then part of West Germany, and was raised by his mother after his father left the family. He completed his Abitur at the Gymnasium Carolinum in his hometown. Wulff subsequently studied law at the University of Osnabrück, passing both state examinations. During his studies, he became involved with the Ring of Christian Democratic Students and the Junge Union, the youth wing of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany.

Political career

Wulff's political career began in local politics, where he was elected to the Osnabrück city council in the 1980s. He rose through the ranks of the CDU in Lower Saxony, becoming the state's party chairman in 1994. After serving as the CDU parliamentary group leader in the Landtag of Lower Saxony, he was elected Minister-President of Lower Saxony in 2003, succeeding Sigmar Gabriel of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. His tenure was marked by coalition governments, first with the Free Democratic Party and later, after the 2008 state election, with the Green Party.

Presidency (2010–2012)

Following the resignation of President Horst Köhler, Wulff was nominated as the joint candidate of the governing coalition of the CDU, its Bavarian sister party the CSU, and the FDP. He was elected by the Federal Convention in 2010, becoming Germany's youngest-ever federal president. His term was overshadowed by controversy, primarily concerning a private home loan and allegations of improperly accepted benefits. Amid mounting media scrutiny and a decision by the public prosecutor's office in Hanover to seek the lifting of his presidential immunity, Wulff announced his resignation in February 2012. He was succeeded by Joachim Gauck.

Post-presidential activities

After leaving office, Wulff returned to the private sector and focused on lecturing and writing. He has held advisory roles and served on supervisory boards, including for the Bertelsmann foundation. Wulff has been a frequent speaker on topics of integration, European Union affairs, and economic policy, often contributing to debates at institutions like the German Council on Foreign Relations. He has also authored several books reflecting on his political experiences and Germany's role in the world.

Personal life

Wulff has been married twice. His first marriage to Christiane Wulff ended in divorce in 2006. In 2008, he married Bettina Wulff, a former bank employee. He has two children, a daughter from his first marriage and a son from his second. The family resides in Hanover and Berlin. Wulff is a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Honours and awards

During his public service, Wulff received several national and international honours. These include the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which he received as a standard honour for a state premier. Internationally, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry by Portugal and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Japan. Various cities and institutions have also granted him honorary citizenships and doctoral degrees.

Category:1959 births Category:Presidents of Germany Category:Christian Democratic Union of Germany politicians Category:People from Osnabrück Category:Living people