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'We need a real leader - like Willy Brandt'

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'We need a real leader - like Willy Brandt'
Photo: DPA

As politicians pile pressure on embattled President Wulff, The Local hit the streets to see what normal Berliners have to say about their head of state, for the latest edition in the Zeitgeist series.

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Wulff has been in the firing line since it emerged that he did not declare a €500,000 loan from a friend’s wife – and then angrily phoned executives at Germany’s best-selling newspaper Bild when he discovered they were going to publish a story on the affair.

Since then the flow of stories, allegations and revelations about Wulff have filled the nation’s media, with criticism of what many regard as his opaque conduct increasing every day.

The discussion has turned to whether he should resign, just 18 months after being appointed for a five-year term.

The Local went out to ask people whether Wulff should step down – and if so, who should replace him.

Click here to see what more Berliners had to say

“No he should stay, he’s done nothing wrong,” said 40-year-old Ciftici Ramazan, a stall holder. “There are much worse things that a politician could do, but I’d rather Merkel were the president.”

Others shared Ramazan’s opinion, like 21-year-old floor layer Tafnes Charra, who said, “I think he’s a good man. I mean, he’s got a good name at least.”

Berlin tour guide Sonia Amiti, 49, said she hankered after a different kind of leader. “I would much rather have a more honest leader, a man who stands for his country and his country’s needs instead of money,” she said.

“Someone like Willy Brandt. He was a real leader.”

The Local/jcw

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