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German vote goes to second round German vote goes to third round
(about 1 hour later)
It would be viewed as a major blow to Mrs Merkel if her candidate lostIt 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. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate has failed to win an absolute majority in the second round of the presidential election in the Reichstag.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate, Christian Wulff, won most votes but not enough to win outright, and a second vote will now be held. A third ballot must now be held after rebel votes in the ruling centre-right coalition deprived Christian Wulff of an outright win in two previous rounds.
Although the president's role is mainly ceremonial, the election is being seen as a test of Mrs Merkel's authority. Mr Wulff is facing a tough challenge from Joachim Gauck, an ex-East German pastor and human rights campaigner.
Voting takes place in a secret ballot by an electoral college. The result should be known on Wednesday afternoon. The vote is being seen as a test of Mrs Merkel's authority.
A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part in the ballot. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees. Although the president has little power and the role is largely symbolic, the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Berlin says a win for Mr Gauck would be considered a major blow to Mrs Merkel.
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.
In the first round Mr Wulff fell 23 votes short of an absolute majority, taking 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499.
The result indicates 44 delegates from 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 Rennicke won three votes.
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.
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.
There can be up to three ballots if the first does not give a candidate an absolute majority. A simple majority would suffice in the final ballot.
Voting takes place in a secret ballot by an electoral college.
A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees.
In the first round Mr Wulff fell 23 votes short of an absolute majority, taking 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499.
That result indicated 44 delegates from Mrs Merkel's camp had 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 Rennicke won three votes.
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 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 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. Since coming to power last October, Mrs Merkel's coalition has had to tackle the eurozone debt crisis.
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.
This has led to European partners being granted rescue packages, which 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 stood down amid criticism after he appeared to suggest German troops abroad were defending Berlin's economic interests.