List of Presidents of Germany

Germany is one of the most powerful and influential countries in Europe. It has a rich history and a complex political system. At the heart of this system lies the figure of the President, who serves as the head of state and represents the country both domestically and internationally.

In this article, we will learn the list of Presidents of Germany, including their roles and contributions to the country’s development.

List of Presidents of Germany

The President of Germany, officially known as the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany, is the head of state of Germany. Since the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, there have been several individuals who have served as President.

Here’s the list of the Presidents of Germany :

No.	Name	Term	Political Affiliation	Notable Achievements and Contributions
1	Friedrich Ebert	1919-1925	Social Democrat	Played a crucial role in the early years of the Weimar Republic.
2	Paul von Hindenburg	1925-1934	Independent	Appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor, leading to the demise of the Weimar Republic.
3	Adolf Hitler	1934-1945	Nazi Party	Dictator who brought Germany into World War 2 and perpetrates the Holocaust.
4	Karl Dönitz	1945	Nazi Party	Briefly served as president in the last days of World War 2.
5	Theodor Heuss	1949-1959	Free Democratic Party	First President of West Germany, Known for his commitment to democracy.
6	Heinrich Lübke	1959-1969	Christian Democratic Union	Oversaw a period of economic growth and stability in West Germany
7	Gustav Heinemann	1969-1974	Social Democratic Party	Advocated for peace and reconciliation during the Cold War.
8	Walter Scheel	1974-1979	Free Democratic Party	Worked towards improving relations with East Germany and European integration.
9	Karl Carstens	1979-1984	Christian Democratic Union	Focused on maintaining stability during the Cold War era.
10	Richard Von Weizsäcker	1984-1994	Christian Democratic Union	Promoted reconciliation and unity during the reunification of Germany.
11	Roman Herzog	1994-1999	Christian Democratic Union	Advocated for modernization and reform in post- Cold War Germany.
12	Johannes Rau	1999-2004	Social Democratic Party	Emphasized Germany ‘s role as a global leader in the modern era.
13	Horst Köhler	2001-2010	Christian Democratic Union	Focused on international development and education.
14	Christian Wulff	2010-2012	Christian Democratic Union	Resigned due to corruption allegations.
15	Joachim Gauck	2012-2017	Non-partisan|	Championed human rights and political engagement.
16	Frank- Walter Steinmeier	2017- Present	Social Democratic Party	Emphasized

To begin with, it is important to understand the role of the President in Germany’s political system. Unlike other countries where the President holds executive powers, in Germany, these powers are held by the Chancellor. The President is mainly a ceremonial figure and serves as a symbol of national unity and democratic values. However, they do have some important duties such as:

• Appointing the Chancellor and Cabinet members
• Representing Germany in international affairs
• Signing bills into law
• Declaring a state of emergency
• Granting pardons

Now let’s dive into the list of Presidents of Germany, starting from the Weimar Republic era to present day.

1. Friedrich Ebert (1919-1925)

Friedrich Ebert was Germany’s first president chosen by the people. He led Germany from 1919 until he passed away in 1925. Ebert’s job was tough because he had to guide Germany from a monarchy to a republic after World War I.

Even though there were many problems, he worked hard to make things better for the German people and to keep the country stable. He believed strongly in democracy and fairness for everyone. Today, people still remember and respect him for his efforts to make Germany a better place.

2. Paul von Hindenburg (1925-1934)

Paul von Hindenburg was Germany’s second president from 1925 to 1934. He was famous for being a military leader during World War I. While he was initially well-liked and did a good job as president, some of his choices later helped the Nazi party gain power. This eventually led to big problems for Germany and the end of the Weimar Republic.

3. Adolf Hitler (1934-1945)

Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany in 1933 and is remembered as one of the most infamous figures in history. He did terrible things, like starting World War II and the Holocaust, which led to the deaths of millions of people.

His strict control and extreme nationalist beliefs have had a lasting impact on the world. Even though he was president for a short time, the effects of Hitler’s actions still influence global politics and society today.

4. Karl Dönitz (1945)

Karl Dönitz was a German navy officer who briefly became Germany’s president in 1945. He’s remembered for being the last leader of Nazi Germany and for his actions during World War II. Even though he was president for a short time, Dönitz left a big mark on German history and is still talked about today.

5. Theodor Heuss (1949-1959)

Theodor Heuss was the very first president of West Germany, serving from 1949 to 1959. He was born in 1884 and was well-known in politics during the time of the Weimar Republic. He believed strongly in democracy and making society better.

After World War II, he played a big part in rebuilding Germany and was picked by a group of lawmakers to be the new country’s first president. He was a strong leader who really cared about democracy, and he helped shape what Germany would be like after the war. People loved and respected him so much that they called him the “Father of the Nation.”

6. Heinrich Lübke (1959-1969)

Heinrich Lübke was the second President of West Germany, serving from 1959 to 1969. He was born in Enkhausen, Westphalia, in 1894 and was well-known in German politics. Lübke had a long career serving the public and played a big part in rebuilding Germany after World War II. He also worked hard to make friends with other countries and improve relationships between them and Germany.

7. Gustav Heinemann (1969-1974)

Gustav Heinemann was an important person in German politics in the 20th century. He was born in 1899 and spent many years working in politics. But what he’s most known for is being the president of Germany from 1969 to 1974.

Heinemann was a strong leader who really believed in democracy and making things fair for everyone. He also wanted peace and justice, both in Germany and around the world. As the third president of West Germany, Heinemann made a big difference and is still respected for what he did for the country.

8. Walter Scheel (1974-1979)

Walter Scheel was an important person in German politics. He served as the president of Germany from 1974 to 1979. Born in 1919, Scheel had a long career in politics spanning over 40 years.

He was known for being dedicated, charismatic, and a strong leader. During his time as president, he helped shape Germany’s politics and economy. Throughout his life, he worked hard to bring peace and prosperity to Germany and the world.

9. Karl Carstens (1979-1984)

Karl Carstens was a big deal in German politics after World War II. He was the fifth President of West Germany from 1979 to 1984. People admired him for being honest, good at talking to others, and really believing in democracy.

Carstens helped Germany a lot during a time when things were changing a ton socially and economically. From being a lawyer and a member of parliament to becoming president, he left a lasting impression as a leader who brought people together and earned their respect.

10. Richard von Weizsäcker (1984-1994)

Richard von Weizsacker was a big deal in German politics. He served as Germany’s president from 1984 to 1994. People really respected him and thought he was important in making Germany what it is today. He worked hard to bring East and West Germany closer together after they were separated. Throughout his long career, Weizsacker made a big difference in Germany, and people still admire him for being committed to democracy, bringing people together, and wanting peace.

11. Roman Herzog (1994-1999)

Roman Herzog was an important person in Germany. He was a politician, a legal expert, and a leader. He was born in 1934 in Bavaria. Before getting into politics, he had a successful career as a lawyer and a teacher. He was a member of the Christian Democratic Union party.

He held different jobs in the government before becoming Germany’s seventh president. While he was president, he really cared about making things fair for everyone and bringing people together, especially after East and West Germany came back together.

12. Johannes Rau (1999-2004)

Johannes Rau was a very important leader in Germany. He was the ninth president from 1999 to 2004. People really admired him because he strongly believed in democracy, making things fair for everyone, and working with other countries. Rau made a big difference during his time as president, and people loved him for his friendly personality, strong beliefs, and many years of experience in politics.

13. Horst Köhler (2004-2010)

Horst Köhler was the ninth president of Germany from 2004 to 2010. Before becoming president, he had a successful career in economics and politics, which made him a respected leader with a lot of experience. While he was president, Köhler did a lot to help Germany and was really important in deciding how the country dealt with other countries. He made a big difference in Germany and the world because of his leadership and love for his country.

14. Christian Wulff (2010-2012)

Christian Wulff was the 10th President of Germany from 2010 to 2012. He started his career in politics in Lower Saxony before becoming the youngest state premier in Germany’s history. Wulff was a big deal in the Christian Democratic Union party.

During his time as president, some people liked what he did, but others didn’t, so he got both praise and criticism. His presidency had a lasting effect on how people see the role of President in German politics.

15. Joachim Gauck (2012-2017)

Joachim Gauck was a really important person in Germany. He was the president from 2012 to 2017 and was well-liked by many. Gauck had a background in theology and fighting for civil rights, which made him really care about human rights and fairness for everyone. While he was president, Gauck worked hard to bring people together, be more accepting of others, and talk openly about Germany’s history, even the bad parts.

16. Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2017-present)

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the current president of Germany. He’s been in charge since 2017 and has been really important in shaping how things are run in the country. Steinmeier has been doing politics for a long time and is well-liked, not just in Germany but all over the world. People admire him for being good at talking to others, being a strong leader, and always working hard to help the people of Germany. Overall, he’s become a beloved and powerful president in his country.

Related :

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FAQs on List of Presidents of Germany

Who was the First President of Germany?

Friedrich Ebert served as Germany’s first president. He held office throughout the Weimar Republic, from 1919 to 1925.

How long is the term of the President of Germany?

Germany’s president is in office for a period of five years.

How is the President of Germany elected?

The Bundestag (Federal Parliament) members and an equal number of delegates chosen by the state legislatures make up the Federal Convention, which chooses Germany’s president.

Can the President of Germany be re-elected?

Yes, the German president may run for reelection a second time in a row, with a maximum of two terms in office.

How many Presidents has Germany had since its establishment?

Since its founding, Germany has had [insert number] presidents, each of whom held office for a period of five years.