German Chancellor Angela Merkel has thrown her support behind presidential candidate Joachim Gauck.<br/> <br />At a press conference on Monday, Merkel bowed to pressure by announcing she stands behind Gauck, who is set to take over from Christian Wulff, a Merkel ally.<br/> <br />The move avoided a political dog fight that could have distracted German authorities from the euro zone crisis after Wulff resigned due to a financial favours scandal.<br/> <br />Merkel told media that 72-year-old Gauck, a protestant pastor and former East German activist, was the right man for the job.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL<br/> <br />"After intensive discussions and consideration of different proposals and possible personalities we agreed on a candidate - this joint candidate is the civil rights campaigner and former head of the state-run Stasi (former East German secret service) archives."<br/> <br />Gauck said he was a ready, although bit overwhelmed by the task in front of him.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) DESIGNATED CANDIDATE FOR GERMAN PRESIDENT AND FORMER EAST GERMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, JOACHIM GAUCK, SAYING:<br/> <br />"But one thing I know: My main task will be the closeness with the people who say yes to responsibility - who are are everywhere in our country, not only on the political level. And I want to work in the way that people take on this responsibility, and not only stand on the sidelines of the public life as visitors and critical observer."<br/> <br />Merkel may still face accusations she backed the wrong horse in the 2010 elections, when she chose Wulff over Gauck.<br/> <br />Germany's government is set to approve him as president and refocus its attention to a more pressing issue: a looming debt crisis in the euro zone.<br/> <br />Jessica Gray, Reuters
