A former Lutheran pastor and civil rights activist has been elected as Germany's new president, BBC reports.
Joachim Gauck, from the former communist East, won 991 votes out of 1,232 at a special assembly of MPs.

The 72-year-old has no party affiliation, but has gained a reputation as an eloquent speaker not afraid to address controversial issues.

He will replace Christian Wulff, who resigned last month in a scandal over financial favours.

Chancellor Angela Merkel had supported Mr Wulff, her ally, against Mr Gauck when they ran against each other for the largely ceremonial role of president in 2010.

This time round she has backed Mr Gauck, although observers say her hand was forced by the liberal Free Democrats, whose support she needs in the coalition government.

By all accounts, Mrs Merkel likes him as a person, the BBC's Stephen Evans in Berlin reports.

The question is, he says, whether Mr Gauck will be too outspoken for her political needs - say during a visit by a dignitary from an oppressive regime.

Our correspondent says the appointment means that the political leader and the head of state of a united Germany both grew up in the old East Germany - something few would once have imagined.