ole von beust announced sunday night but he was quitting and august due to personal reasons. he is the sixth to leave office in the past year and his departure raised questions about the chancellor's leadership. >> chancellor merkel cup for joint press conference with ole von beust short. she said she suspect -- respect his decision. >> i believe that ole von beust led the city into new territory with his decision to form a coalition with the greens. and that his leadership was such but his successor will have a good chance of continuing the coalition. after 32 years in state politics, von beust said he hoped others will understand the decision. >> as painful as of the step was for me i want to sze the chance at the age of 55 to do something else. eres no ill willn my part. only a deep sense of gratitude and friendship, both towards my friend jean hamburg and toward the chancellor. >> journalists were given no carper to the for questions. despite the outpoured show of unity some in the cdu criticized his decision to design @ -- resigned as a politically difficult time. >> i b