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German vote goes to second round German vote goes to second round
(40 minutes later)
Mrs Merkel's tough austerity measures have been unpopular It would be viewed as a major blow to Mrs Merkel if her candidate lost
A first vote has taken place to elect a new German president - but has proved inconclusive.A first vote has taken place to elect a new German president - but has proved inconclusive.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate, Christian Wulff, won most votes but not enough to win outright, and a second vote will now be held.Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate, Christian Wulff, won most votes but not enough to win outright, and a second vote will now be held.
Although the president's role is mainly ceremonial, the election is being seen as a test of Mrs Merkel's authority.Although the president's role is mainly ceremonial, the election is being seen as a test of Mrs Merkel's authority.
Voting takes place in a secret ballot by an electoral college. The result should be known on Wednesday afternoon.Voting takes place in a secret ballot by an electoral college. The result should be known on Wednesday afternoon.
A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part in the ballot. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees.A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part in the ballot. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees.
Eurozone crisis In the first round of the German presidential election, Angela Merkel's candidate failed to get an overall majority.
Christian Wulff needed 50% of the votes of German MP's and regional representatives to become president. He got less than that.
What is interesting is that it seems that between 30 and 40 people from Chancellor Merkel's camp voted for the opposition candidate Joachim Gauck.
There will now be a second round but this result will be seen as a setback for Angela Merkel and a dent to her authority.
Read Gavin's thoughts in full
Mr Wulff faces a strong challenge from former East German rights activist Joachim Gauck.Mr Wulff faces a strong challenge from former East German rights activist Joachim Gauck.
In the first round Mr Wulff took 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499, indicating that at least some of the politicians in Mrs Merkel's camp either voted against Mr Wulff or abstained.In the first round Mr Wulff took 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499, indicating that at least some of the politicians in Mrs Merkel's camp either voted against Mr Wulff or abstained.
Lukrezia Jochimsen from the far-left Die Linke party won 126, there were 13 abstentions and far-right candidate Frank Rennickewon three votes.
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 trouble
Read 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.
Mr Wulff, the Lower Saxony state governor and deputy leader of her Christian Democratic party, remains the favourite to win as Mrs Merkel's ruling coalition enjoys a majority in the electoral college.Mr Wulff, the Lower Saxony state governor and deputy leader of her Christian Democratic party, 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 have said 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 said they might vote for him.
There are two minor party candidates, from the far left and far right.
There can be up to three ballots if the first does not give a candidate an absolute majority. A simple majority will suffice in the final ballot.There can be up to three ballots if the first does not give a candidate an absolute majority. A simple majority will suffice in the final ballot.
Analysts say the number of ballots it takes may in itself be seen as a comment on the popularity of Mrs Merkel's coalition.Analysts say the number of ballots it takes may in itself be seen as a comment on the popularity of Mrs Merkel's coalition.
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 European partners being granted rescue packages, which 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.