Kohler resignation a crisis for Merkel

BERLIN, June 1 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel begged President Horst Kohler to remain in office instead of submitting his resignation, Der Spiegel reported Tuesday.

Kohler stepped down Monday, giving Merkel only 2 hours notice. Der Spiegel said it had learned Merkel warned him his decision, even though the presidency has little power, could cause public questioning about German institutions.

A poll released Tuesday and conducted last week reported only 30 percent of the public back the Christian Democrats. Merkel's party has not had such low ratings in four years.

The party was also battered in regional elections in North Rhine-Westphalia on May 9, leaving Merkel without a parliamentary majority while she is negotiating a budget with legislators.

Kohler resigned after a controversial radio interview last week where he linked Germany's economy and its military deployment in Afghanistan. Merkel then canceled a planned visit to Lithuania to remain in Berlin and begin the process of finding a new president, The Times of London reported.