Painful to watch

Right now, broadcast live on German television, Christian Wulff is performing his last act as president. As tradition dictates, the outgoing president officiates over a military procession.


Given the circumstances of his exit - forced to resign after police began an investigation into his conduct - many opposition figures demanded that Wulff forego this ceremony as well as his €199,000 a year pension. Mirroring the way Wulff clung on to office over the past 3 months, he ignored their demands.

5 previous presidents have rejected the invitation to attend, most opposition politicians weren't even invited. Members of the public are waiting just outside the presidential mansion blowing vuvuzelas, clearly audible in the TV coverage. 

It makes for very uncomfortable viewing.


Update 1818 GMT: Now they've split the screen between the procession and the protests.