on 4 march 2004, köhler resigned his positions, because he was nominated as presidential candidate. köhler defeated gesine schwan on the first ballot by 604 votes to 580. 20 votes were cast for minor candidates, while one elector was absent because of a heart attack. köhler succeeded johannes rau as president on 1 july 2004, for a five-year term. germany's presidency is a largely ceremonial office. however, it is also invested with considerable moral authority. from 2004 until early 2006, charlottenburg palace was the seat of the president of germany. this was because schloss bellevue has been renovated.