In Germany, the Chancellor and the President are two of the most powerful people in government. Although both play important roles, they have different functions in German politics. The Chancellor is more of a prime minister, while the President serves more as a figurehead. This article will discuss the differences between these two positions and how they work together to govern Germany.
German President
The German President is not elected by popular vote as in many other countries. But is elected by a special committee formed to choose a president by a vote.
The German president has a representative function in the country and can be compared to the Queen, who represents a country. He is the head of state and is expected to sign laws discussed by the relevant legislators and parliament. Before signing off on law, he must check that it does not violate the Constitution and other amendments. The president can reject a law if he deems it inappropriate, and he has the right to veto it.
The German Chancellor
Germany has a system in which the country must appoint a Chancellor. The Chancellor is the head of government, which means that the Chancellor oversees almost all government operations. Under the current system, the Chancellor is elected by Parliament and can be replaced at any time if Parliament so desires. There is no formal limit on the number of terms a chancellor can serve.
They have full authority to appoint ministers and are considered to have executive power. The appointment of ministers also indicates that the chancellor is actively involved in setting the country’s direction in terms of governance and the performance of government officials, particularly in the public sector. Because the chancellor is in close contact with the government, he is very active, and some say he has a lot to say compared to the president.
By controlling the government, the chancellor bears the burden of running the country and verifying that government officials perform as required in their respective departments. “The chancellor sets the guidelines for government policy as he works with policymakers and legislators. The Cabinet is his playground, so he cleans it and makes sure it works well.
German President vs. Chancellor
The relationship between the German President and the Chancellor is similar to the Queen and the Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.
According to Wikipedia, the German President generally enjoys a higher rank than the Chancellor on official occasions. In addition, the President plays a more inclusive role, including overseeing compliance with the laws of the land and the Constitution. The president is the head of state, while the chancellor is the head of the executive branch and the government.
In Germany, the president symbolizes the nation as he represents the country, especially at events with foreign dignitaries. On the other hand, the Chancellor heads the government and is thus responsible for running the country and ensuring that all government officials perform their duties diligently. A German president is only involved in some administrative tasks but has nothing to do with most of the carried out tasks. But the Chancellor calls the shots because he is close to both the government and the parliament.
He is also the product of parliament because parliament has the right to elect a chancellor and can replace him at any time. The German president has veto power and can sign off on laws by checking whether they comply with its constitution. The term of office of the President is limited to five years, but that of the Federal Chancellor is not.