German President Christian Wulff (2nd L) reacts after after being attacked by a protester with raw eggs during a visit to Wiesbaden, western Germany, April 14, 2011. [Photo/CFP]

BERLIN - German President Christian Wulff's enthusiasm for greeting every day people was undimmed after a protester pelted him with raw eggs on Thursday during a visit to the western town of Wiesbaden.

"I like to have close contact with people and that means you may occasionally also get hit by an egg," said Wulff, elected to the largely ceremonial position last year after being nominated by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

German police said they detained a 48-year-old man over the incident in which Wulff was struck by an egg and Hesse state premier Volker Bouffier, standing next Wulff, also ended up with yolk splattered over his trousers.