Merkel candidate wins German presidency in 3rd round

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's candidate for president won Wednesday's vote in a third round ballot after rebels in her coalition twice failed to give Merkel the absolute majority she needed to boost her fortunes.

With a presidential election going to a third round for only the third time in post-war history, Merkel's candidate Christian Wulff beat Joachim Gauck, a non-partisan civil rights campaigner fielded by the centre left, in a marathon special assembly to choose the largely ceremonial post of head of state. (Reuters)