Germany is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Federal Republic this weekend. Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Köhler attended an ecumenical service at the Dom in Berlin this morning. A memorial service is being held in the capital later in the day.

It was 60 years ago today that a new constitution came into force for what was then West Germany. In 1990, when West Germany was reunited with the East, the constitution was adopted for the entire country.

The majority of the festivities are scheduled for Saturday, when Germany will also appoint a new president at a special parliamentary hearing. Horst Köhler is standing for a second five-year term, but he faces opposition from three other candidates.