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German vote goes to third round German vote goes to third round
(40 minutes 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
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate has failed to win an absolute majority in the second round of the presidential election in the Reichstag.German Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate has failed to win an absolute majority in the second round of the presidential election in the Reichstag.
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. A final ballot must now be held after rebel votes in the ruling centre-right coalition twice deprived Christian Wulff of an outright win.
Mr Wulff is facing a tough challenge from Joachim Gauck, an ex-East German pastor and human rights campaigner.Mr Wulff is facing a tough challenge from Joachim Gauck, an ex-East German pastor and human rights campaigner.
The vote is being seen as a test of Mrs Merkel's authority. That the vote has gone to a third round is seen as embarrassing for Mrs Merkel.
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 second round, Mr Wulff fell eight votes short of an absolute majority. In the first round he was 23 short.
The Lower Saxony state governor is nevertheless expected ultimately to win as only a simple majority is required in the third and final round.
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 a disaster for the embattled 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. A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part in the secret ballot of the electoral college. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees.
Voting takes place in a secret ballot by an electoral college. In the first round Mr Wulff - who is deputy leader of Mrs Merkel's Christian Democratic party - fell 23 votes short of an absolute majority, taking 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499.
A total of 1,244 elected representatives take part. Half are federal legislators and half state-parliament nominees. That result indicated 44 delegates from Mrs Merkel's camp either voted against Mr Wulff or abstained.
In the first round Mr Wulff fell 23 votes short of an absolute majority, taking 600 votes to Mr Gauck's 499. Mr Wulff secured 615 votes in the second round, compared with 490 for Mr Gauck.
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, was a distant third in both votes.
Lukrezia Jochimsen from the far-left Die Linke party won 126; there were 13 abstentions and far-right candidate Frank Rennicke won three votes. Our correspondent says Mr Gauck is popular and widely respected; he is a non-partisan human rights campaigner who did much to expose the crimes of the East German secret police, the Stasi.
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.
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.
Since coming to power last October, Mrs Merkel's coalition has had to tackle the eurozone debt crisis.Since coming to power last October, Mrs Merkel's 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 stood down amid criticism after he appeared to suggest German troops abroad were defending Berlin's economic interests.He stood down amid criticism after he appeared to suggest German troops abroad were defending Berlin's economic interests.