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.
坦率直言的前东德人权活动家高克当选为德国总统,他赢得了特别大会3/4以上的投票支持,大获全胜。这位总统当选人称,大家对他的大力支持令他感到自己很卑微。
"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."
“我知道,我不可能满足人民对我和总统一职的全部期待,但我可以承诺一件事,我将用全身心的力量来承担你们今天赋予我的责任。”
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.
今年72岁的高克是无党人士,他反对东德的前共产主义政权,两德统一后,他负责东德旧秘密警察局斯塔西的档案揭秘工作。
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 turnout had sent a strong message that Pasok had not lost its soul. Opinion polls show support for Pasok has reached historic lows, which a BBC correspondent says is a reaction to imposing the toughest austerity programme in modern history.