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Merkel faces tough electoral test Merkel faces tough electoral test
(about 3 hours later)
Mrs Merkel's tough austerity measures have been unpopularMrs Merkel's tough austerity measures have been unpopular
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces a tough test of her government's popularity on Wednesday with the election of a new president. Voting has begun for a new German president in what is being seen as a test of the popularity of Chancellor Angela Merkel's government.
The role is largely ceremonial but the election is being seen as a verdict on her raft of austerity measures. The role is largely ceremonial but the election may also become a verdict on her raft of austerity measures.
Her candidate, Christian Wolff, faces a strong challenge from former East German rights activist Joachim Gauck. Her candidate, Christian Wulff, faces a strong challenge from former East German rights activist Joachim Gauck.
The German president is chosen by an electoral college in a secret ballot of 1,244 representatives. The president is chosen in an electoral college secret ballot. The result should be known on Wednesday afternoon.
A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part in the ballot.
Eurozone crisisEurozone crisis
The president has little power and the role is largely symbolic.The president has little power and the role is largely symbolic.
But the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says a win for Mr Gauck would be considered a major blow to Mrs Merkel.But the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says a win for Mr Gauck would be considered a major blow to Mrs Merkel.
The election has turned into a vote of confidence in Mrs Merkel's leadership. If Mr Wulff loses, her government could be in troubleThe election has turned into a vote of confidence in Mrs Merkel's leadership. If Mr Wulff loses, her government could be in trouble
Read Gavin's thoughts in fullRead Gavin's thoughts in full
She is under increasing pressure over her government's package of austerity measures and because of infighting in the cabinet, our correspondent says.She is under increasing pressure over her government's package of austerity measures and because of infighting in the cabinet, our correspondent says.
Her candidate is Lower Saxony state governor Christian Wulff, deputy leader of her Christian Democratic party.Her candidate is Lower Saxony state governor Christian Wulff, deputy leader of her Christian Democratic party.
He remains the favourite to win as Mrs Merkel's ruling coalition enjoys a majority in the electoral college.He remains the favourite to win as Mrs Merkel's ruling coalition enjoys a majority in the electoral college.
But Mr Gauck is a strong challenger - a non-partisan human rights campaigner who did much to expose the crimes of the East German secret police, the Stasi.But Mr Gauck is a strong challenger - a non-partisan human rights campaigner who did much to expose the crimes of the East German secret police, the Stasi.
Our correspondent says Mr Gauck is both popular and widely respected - with even some members of Chancellor Merkel's own coalition saying they might vote for him.Our correspondent says Mr Gauck is both popular and widely respected - with even some members of Chancellor Merkel's own coalition saying they might vote for him.
Since coming to power last October, the coalition has had to tackle the eurozone debt crisis.Since coming to power last October, the coalition has had to tackle the eurozone debt crisis.
This has led to rescue packages for European partners that have been deeply unpopular in Germany.This has led to rescue packages for European partners that have been deeply unpopular in Germany.
The presidential election was called after Horst Koehler stepped down on 31 May.The presidential election was called after Horst Koehler stepped down on 31 May.
He was said to be uncomfortable over criticism of an interview he gave on the role of the German military.He was said to be uncomfortable over criticism of an interview he gave on the role of the German military.