Berlin, Feb. 1 -- Former German President Horst Kohler passed away at the age of 81 in Berlin after a short illness, the office of current German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement on Saturday.

"It is with deep sadness that the office of former Federal President Horst Kohler, on behalf of the Kohler family, announces that former Federal President Prof. Dr. Horst Kohler passed away early today morning at the age of 81 in the circle of his family in Berlin after a short, serious illness," the statement said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Kohler a "committed politician."

In a post on X, Scholz said, "With the death of former Federal President Horst Kohler, Germany loses a committed politician who dedicated his li...