For the election of the Federal President of Germanya special constitutional body is convened - the Federal Assembly, consisting of deputies of the Bundestag and delegates elected by the parliaments of the land. The president is elected for a five-year term, and his re-election is possible only once. The basic law of the Federal Republic of Germany defines the requirements for a presidential candidate. They can become every citizen of Germany who has the right to vote, that is, the right to be elected to the Bundestag - the authorized body of the people's representation. The age of the candidate must exceed 40 years. The Federal President of Germany has two residences: one of them is the attraction of Bonn (Villa Hammerschmidt), the other is the Bellevue Palace in Berlin.
The history of the presidency in Germany leadsthe beginning of the proclamation of the Weimar Republic (1919). The first German president, Social Democrat Friedrich Ebert, became the first leader of the state, elected by democratic means.
Joachim Gauck. Biographical information and political activity
In 1940, in the family of Wilhelm Gauck - captaina vessel from Rostock, and later a naval official, a boy was born, named Joachim. His parents since the 30's were members of the Nazi Party. Joachim's political views were strongly influenced by the charge of espionage, the subsequent arrest and imprisonment of his father (1951). In the school years, the future president of Germany resolutely refused to become a member of the SSNN (Union of Free German Youth), akin to the Soviet Komsomol. He dreamed of becoming a journalist, however, young people who stood in anti-communist positions did not have the opportunity to study journalism in the GDR. Then Gauk became a Protestant pastor. Prior to his election as president, he actively participated in the political life of Germany: he was a well-known human rights defender in the GDR; in the People's Chamber of the GDR, the last convocation was represented by the opposition Alliance 90, and in the last decade of the last century served as archivist for the Ministry of State Security.
Federal President of Germany: the main functions and powers
Head of State in Germany
- represents his country in the international arena;
- accredits (appoints) diplomatic representatives;
- uses the right to pardon prisoners.
The powerful powers of the Reich Presidency, whichone of the reasons for the defeat of the Weimar Republic, influenced the fact that the German president currently does not have serious political powers, he only executes decisions that are taken by other authorities. The functions of the president are limited to signing and announcing federal laws, as well as nominating the candidatures of the federal chancellor for consideration by parliament. The President has the right to approve and dismiss the Federal Chancellor. The powers of the federal president also include the right to approve and dismiss from her federal ministers, judges, officers and officers.
