Merkel's pick for president approved by Barbora Misakova

Christian Wilhelm Walter Wulff, a German politician of the conservative Christian Democratic Union became a new President of Germany on 30 June 2010. He won 625 of 1242 votes in the third ballot of the Federal Convention what underscored Merkel’s fading authority within her ruling coalition. Even though Merkel’s candidate lastly won, his victory came up with the third round of voting what proved that hopes of a strong support from her governing coalition were dashed. His opposition candidate Joachim Gauck won 494 votes. Although Wulff led in every round of the secret ballot, he was unable to garner the absolute majority needed in the first two rounds as members ! of Merkel’s own coalition broke ranks to support his opponent. Wulff, a lawyer and career politician with a clean-cut, inoffensive image sounded an optimistic note after his election. “I am looking forward to this responsible position.” he said. His rival Gauck congratulated Wulff on his victory, but everyone knows that coalition is unstable as nineteen members of the coalition did not vote for Wulff. “Today’s events clearly show that Merkel can’t hold together her majority.” said Werner Weidenfeld, a political science professor at Munich’s Ludwig Maximilian University. The center-right coalition needed a renewal and it hoped a successful presidential election will silence critics of Merkel’s leadership. Unfortunately for then “the infighting will continue.” Merkel refuses any speculations and insists that “what counts is that we now have a new president, and a president who was elected with absolute ma! jority.” She just added: “Christian Wulff will be ! a wonder ful representative for this country.”

related story (sgx17738): http://www.france24.com/en/20100630-merkel-candidate-wins-pr...

by Barbora Misakova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.