German leader resigns after pouring wine on homeless man's head.

BERLIN (Reuters) - The deputy leader of the German state of Bremen resigned after pouring sparkling wine over the head of a homeless man in an apparent joke that went wrong.

Peter Gloystein of the center-right Christian Democrats was caught on camera pouring a magnum of the wine over the head of stunned Bremen local Udo Oelschlaeger at the launch of German wine week Wednesday evening.

Oelschlaeger was standing next to the podium at the public, open-air event from where Gloystein poured the wine.

Gloystein, Bremen state economy and culture senator, said late Thursday he deeply regretted the incident and apologized to his victim. He said he had "misinterpreted" the situation but did not explain what he meant.

"I had a long and intensive talk with Mr Oelschlaeger the same evening. He explained his difficult life. We departed on friendly terms ... If possible, I would like to help out Mr Oelschlaeger," Gloystein said in a statement.

A Bremen culture ministry spokesman confirmed Gloystein had resigned from his various posts.