Bundespräsident

The Bundespräsident is the head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany. The office is largely ceremonial and representative. The Bundespräsident is elected by the Bundesversammlung, a federal convention composed of all members of the Bundestag and an equal number of delegates chosen by the state parliaments. The term of office is five years, and a president can be re-elected once. The president's functions include representing Germany internationally, signing laws passed by the Bundestag, and formally appointing and dismissing the Federal Chancellor and federal ministers upon proposal of the Chancellor. The Bundespräsident also has the power to dissolve the Bundestag under specific constitutional circumstances. While the political power resides primarily with the Federal Chancellor, the Bundespräsident serves as a moral authority and an important symbol of national unity. The current Bundespräsident is Frank-Walter Steinmeier.