Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier -  Image: Hamsterkiste

The Federal President

The Federal President is the head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany. He represents Germany at home and abroad and stands above political parties. The official car bears the registration number “0–1”.


The Federal President’s powers are limited. The government is led by the Federal Chancellor. The Chancellor and the federal ministers make important decisions, not the Federal President. The President also cannot decide who becomes Chancellor or a minister, but must sign their official appointment documents.


Laws are passed by the Bundestag and often by the Bundesrat as well. The Federal President then reviews the law and signs it. Only after that can it be promulgated. The President may refuse to sign only in rare cases.


One of the duties of the Federal President is to represent Germany abroad. Ambassadors from other countries present him with their credentials. The head of state also receives foreign dignitaries and delivers important speeches. In doing so, he can express his own views and is expected to stand above party politics.


The German President is elected for a term of five years. One re-election is permitted. Candidates must be at least 40 years old and hold German citizenship. The head of state is elected by the Federal Convention, which consists of all members of the Bundestag and the same number of delegates from the German states.


The Federal President’s primary official residence is Bellevue Palace in Berlin. Another official residence is Villa Hammerschmidt in the former capital, Bonn.


The current Federal President is Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He was born on January 5, 1956, in Detmold in the district of Lippe. He has been married to Elke Büdenbender since 1995. The couple have one daughter. Frank-Walter Steinmeier was elected in 2017 and re-elected for a second term in 2022.

Learning sentences:

  1. The __________ is the head of state of Germany. 
  2. The Federal President represents Germany as a __________.
  3. He or she should stand above the political __________.
  4. The Federal President appoints the __________.
  5. The representatives in the __________ debate laws.
  6. The Federal President ___________ these laws.
  7. The Federal President is elected by the __________.
  8. The term of office lasts __________ years.
  9. You must be at least __________ years old to hold the office.
  10. The first official residence in Berlin is called __________.
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