Germany’s political elite is set to bid farewell to former president Horst Köhler with a funeral service and state ceremony at Berlin Cathedral on Tuesday.

Köhler passed away in early February at the age of 81.

Köhler was elected as Germany’s ninth president in 2004, succeeding Johannes Rau, and was re-elected for a second term in 2009.

His resignation in 2010 was unprecedented in the history of the federal republic.

Notably, Köhler was the first president from a business background rather than a political party, initially unknown to the public but quickly gaining recognition and sympathy.

During the state ceremony, speeches will be given by incumbent President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, former Austrian president Heinz Fischer, and former German finance minister Theo Waigel.

Under Waigel, Köhler served as state secretary in the Ministry of Finance, where he was the German chief negotiator for the Maastricht Treaty on European Economic and Monetary Union.

Steinmeier lauded Köhler after his death, calling him “a stroke of luck” for Germany.

He particularly highlighted Köhler’s advocacy for fair and equal treatment of Africa, noting that Köhler was ahead of his time in this regard.

(dpa/NAN)