father figure
- the only religious leader many have known all their lives.
You're listening to the latest World News from the BBC.
Votes are now being counted in Guinea-Bissau following an election to choose a new president. The nine candidates include the former President Kumba Yala, who was overthrown by the military, and the former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior. Guinea-Bissau, seen as a major staging post in the international drugs trade between Latin America and Europe, has had several army
mutinies
and coups in recent years.
An outspoken former East German human rights activist, Pastor Joachim Gauck, has been elected president of Germany. In a resounding victory, he secured more than three quarters of the vote at a special assembly. The president-elect said the strong support made him feel humble.
"I know I won't meet all the expectations which people have for me and my presidency, but I can promise one thing: I say yes to the responsibility which you have given me today with all my strength and with all my heart."
Mr Gauck, who's 72, has no
party affiliation
. He opposed the former communist regime in East Germany and after reunification led the body that opened up the files of the old secret police, the Stasi.
The Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has been chosen as the new leader of the governing Pasok party in an election in which he was the only candidate. Mr Venizelos told supporters that the higher-than-expected